Method and apparatus for information processing, and medium for storing program

ABSTRACT

In an information processing apparatus and method in which contents such as musical data, distributed via a predetermined network or such a content is divided, it is judged whether a first content has been checked out, it is judged whether a second content has been checked, and the first and second contents are combined together when it is determined that neither the first nor second content has been checked out.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processingapparatus and method and a program storage medium, and moreparticularly, to an information processing apparatus and method, capableof combining contents together or dividing a content, and a programstorage medium having stored therein a program to be used in theinformation processing apparatus and method to effect such aninformation processing.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

[0002] The information processing apparatus such as a personal computercan access an EMD (electrical music distribution) server via apredetermined network and receive a content such as musical data fromthe EMD server.

[0003] The personal computer used as such an information processor cancombine two received contents together or divide a content into twocontents.

[0004] However, if more than one content different in usage rule fromeach other are combined together, they could be used in a wider rangeand illegally, which depends upon the usage rule for the combinedcontents. Also, the usable range of the combined contents could benarrower, which depends upon the other usage rule for them, and the userwould illegally lose his or her right.

[0005] Further, in case for example a content already checked out isdivided, the content divisions could be used illegally similarly to thecombined contents, which depends upon the usage rule for the contentdivisions or the user's right would illegally be impaired.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

[0006] Accordingly, the present invention has an object to overcome theabove-mentioned drawbacks of the conventional information processingapparatus such as a personal computer by providing an improved and novelinformation processing apparatus and method, capable of combine contentstogether or dividing a content into contents while preventing the rightof the user of the contents from illegally being impaired and thecontents from illegally being used, and an improved and novel programstorage medium having stored therein an program to be used in theinformation processing apparatus and method to effect such aninformation processing.

[0007] The above object can be attained by providing an informationprocessor including, according to the present invention, a first judgingmeans for judging whether a first content has been checked out, a secondjudging means for judging whether a second content has been checked out,and means for combining the first and second contents together when itis determined by the first and second judging means that neither thefirst nor second content has been checked out.

[0008] In the above information processor, there is further included athird judging means for judging whether a maximum number of possiblecheckouts for the first content is equal to that for the second content,and the combining means combines the first and second contents togetherwhen it is determined by the third judging means that the maximum numberof possible checkouts is equal to that for the second content.

[0009] Also the above object can be attained by providing an informationprocessing method in which first and second contents are combinedtogether, including, according to the present invention, a first judgingstep of judging whether a first content has been checked out, and asecond judging step at which is it judged whether a second content hasbeen checked out, the first and second contents being combined togetherwhen it is determined that neither the first nor second content has beenchecked out.

[0010] In the above information processing method, there is furtherincluded a third judging step of judging whether a maximum number ofpossible checkouts for the first content is equal to that for the secondcontent, and the first and second contents are combined together when itis determined that the maximum number of possible checkouts for thefirst content is equal to that for the second content.

[0011] In the above information processing method, there is furtherincluded a playback limit judging step of judging whether a playbacktime limit or limit of times of playback is set for the first and secondcontents, and the first and second contents are combined together whenit is determined that no playback time limit or limit of times ofplayback is set for both the first and second contents.

[0012] Also, the above object can be attained by providing a programstorage medium having stored therein a computer-readable program, theprogram stored in the medium including, according to the presentinvention, a first judging step of judging whether a first content hasbeen checked out, and a second judging step at which is it judgedwhether a second content has been checked out, and the first and secondcontents being combined together when it is determined that neither thefirst nor second content has been checked out.

[0013] In the program stored in the above program storage medium, thereis further included a third judging step of judging whether a maximumnumber of possible checkouts for the first content is equal to that forthe second content, and the first and second contents are combinedtogether when it is determined that the maximum number of possiblecheckouts for the first content is equal to that for the second content.

[0014] In the program stored in the above information processing method,there is further included a playback limit judging step of judgingwhether a playback time limit or limit of times of playback is set forthe first and second contents, and the first and second contents arecombined together when it is determined that no playback time limit orlimit of times of playback is set for both the first and secondcontents.

[0015] Also the above object can be attained by providing an informationprocessor includes, according to the present invention, means forjudging whether a content has been checked out, and means for dividingthe content when it is determined that the content has not been checkedout.

[0016] In the above information processor, there is further includedmeans for judging whether a playback limit is set for a content, and thecontent dividing means divides the content when no playback limit is setfor the content.

[0017] Also the above object can be attained by providing an informationprocessing method including according to the present invention, steps ofjudging wether a content has been checked out, and dividing the contentwhen it is determined that the content has not been checked out.

[0018] In the above information processing method, there is furtherincluded a step of judging whether a playback limit is set for thecontent, and the content is divided when it is determined that noplayback limit is set for the content.

[0019] Also the above object can be attained by providing a programstorage means having stored therein a computer-readable program, theprogram including, according to the present invention, steps of judgingwhether a content has been checked out, and dividing the content when itis determined that the content has not been checked out.

[0020] These objects and other objects, features and advantages of thepresent intention will become more apparent from the following detaileddescription of the best modes for carrying out the present inventionwhen taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021]FIG. 1 is a schematic drawing of an embodiment of the music datamanagement system incorporating the present invention;

[0022]FIG. 2 shows the architecture of a personal computer used in themusic data management system in FIG. 1;

[0023]FIG. 3 shows the configuration of an EMD registration server usedin the music data management system in FIG. 1;

[0024]FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the personal computer, showing thefunctions of the personal computer;

[0025]FIG. 5 shows an example of the content usage rule;

[0026]FIG. 6 shows an example of the relation between original packagedisplay data belonging to a display data file, and content files;

[0027]FIGS. 7A to 7C show an example of the composition of the displaydata file;

[0028]FIG. 8 shows an example of the relation between My Select packagedisplay data and content files;

[0029]FIG. 9 shows a relation between filtering package display data andcontent files;

[0030]FIG. 10 explains the operations made for EMD registration;

[0031]FIG. 11 shows an example of the display for execution of theregistration;

[0032]FIG. 12 shows an example of the display made by the EMD selectionprogram;

[0033]FIG. 13 shows an example of the display made by the purchaseapplication program;

[0034]FIG. 14 shows an example of the display made by the purchasedriver;

[0035]FIG. 15 shows an example of the display/operation instructionwindow;

[0036]FIG. 16 explains a window the recording program has the displayunit;

[0037]FIG. 17 shows a property dialog box where it is set which of theWWW servers is to be selected;

[0038]FIG. 18 shows a property dialog box where it is set which of theWWW servers is to be selected;

[0039]FIG. 19 explains a window the recording program has the displayunit;

[0040]FIG. 20 explains a window the recording program has the displayunit;

[0041]FIG. 21 explains a dialog box the recording program has thedisplay unit;

[0042]FIG. 22 explains a dialog box the recording program has thedisplay unit;

[0043]FIG. 23 explains a dialog box the recording program has thedisplay unit;

[0044]FIG. 24 explains a dialog box the recording program has thedisplay unit;

[0045]FIG. 25 explains a dialog box the recording program has thedisplay unit;

[0046]FIG. 26 explains a dialog box the recording program has thedisplay unit;

[0047]FIG. 27 shows an example of the display/operation instructionwindow;

[0048]FIG. 28 shows another example of the display/operation instructionwindow;

[0049]FIG. 29 shows still another example of the display/operationinstruction window;

[0050]FIG. 30 shows still another example of the display/operationinstruction window;

[0051]FIG. 31 shows still another example of the display/operationinstruction window;

[0052]FIG. 32 shows still another example of the display/operationinstruction window;

[0053]FIG. 33 shows still another example of the display/operationinstruction window;

[0054]FIG. 34 shows still another example of the display/operationinstruction window;

[0055]FIG. 35 explains the generation of filtering package;

[0056]FIG. 36 shows an example of the display/operation instructionwindow;

[0057]FIG. 37 shows another example of the display/operation instructionwindow;

[0058]FIG. 38 shows still another example of the display/operationinstruction window;

[0059]FIG. 39 shows still another example of the display/operationinstruction window;

[0060]FIG. 40 shows still another example of the display/operationinstruction window;

[0061]FIG. 41 shows still another example of the display/operationinstruction window;

[0062]FIG. 42 shows still another example of the display/operationinstruction window;

[0063]FIG. 43 shows still another example of the display/operationinstruction window;

[0064]FIG. 44 shows still another example of the display/operationinstruction window;

[0065]FIG. 45 shows still another example of the display/operationinstruction window;

[0066]FIG. 46 is a flow chart of the operations effected forregistration;

[0067]FIG. 47 is a flow chart of the operations effected for recordingfrom a CD;

[0068]FIG. 48 is a flow chart of the operations effected for acquisitionof information corresponding to CD;

[0069]FIG. 49 is a flow chart of the operations effected for data writeto a display data file;

[0070]FIG. 50 is a flow chart of the operations effected for data readfrom the display data file;

[0071]FIG. 51 is a flow chart of the operations effected for generationof filtering package;

[0072]FIG. 52 is a flow chart of the operations effected for checkout orcheck-in;

[0073]FIG. 53 is a flow chart of the operations effected for imagepasting;

[0074]FIG. 54 is a flow chart of the operations effected for imagedisplay;

[0075]FIG. 55 is a flow chart of the operations effected for combiningcontents together;

[0076]FIG. 56 is a flow chart of the operations effected for dividing acontent; and

[0077]FIG. 57 is a flow chart of the operations effected when a portabledevice is connected to the information processor.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0078] In the following description, embodiments in which the presentinvention is applied to a music data management system will beexemplified with reference to the drawings.

[0079] Referring now to FIG. 1, there is illustrated an embodiment ofthe music data management system according to the present invention. Asshown, the system includes a personal computer 1-1 connected to anetwork 2 composed of a local area network (LAN), Internet or the like.The personal computer 1-1 receives music data (will be referred to as“content” hereinafter) from EMD (electrical music distribution) servers4-1 to 4-3 or those read from a CD (compact disc) which will further bedescribed later, converts the music data to a one compressed by apredetermined method (e.g., ATRAC3 (trade mark)), encrypts the data by amethod such as DES (Data Encryption Standard), and then records thedata.

[0080] Correspondingly to the above content recorded as encrypted, thepersonal computer 1-1 records a usage rule under which the contentshould be used. The usage rule data concerns for example simultaneoususe of the contents corresponding to the usage rule at three portabledevices (also called “PD”) 6-1 to 6-3, copy to the portable devices 6-1to 6-3, move to another personal computer, etc. The usage rule data willfurther be described later.

[0081] The personal computer 1-1 stores the content recorded therein asencrypted as well as data related to the content such as music title,number of reproduction, reproduction period or equalizer information orthe like into the portable device 6-1 connected thereto, and updates theusage rule data for the content having thus been stored into theportable device 6-1 (which will be referred to as “checkout”hereinafter). Also, the personal computer 1-1 stores the contentrecorded therein as encrypted as well as data related to the contentinto the portable device 6-2 connected thereto, and updates the usagerule data for the content having thus been stored into the portabledevice 6-2. Further, the personal computer 1-1 stores the contentrecorded therein as encrypted as well as data related to the contentsinto the portable device 6-3 connected thereto, and updates the usagerule data for the content having been thus stored into the portabledevice 6-3.

[0082] Moreover, the personal computer 1-1 has the portable device 6-1connected thereto erase the content that the personal computer 1-1 haschecked out to the portable device 6-1, and updates the usage rule datafor the content having thus been erased (which will be referred to as“check-in” hereinafter). Also, the personal computer 1-1 has theportable device 6-2 connected thereto erase the content that thepersonal computer 1-1 has checked out to the portable device 6-2, andupdates the usage rule data for the content having thus been erased.Further, the personal computer 1-1 has the portable device 6-3 connectedthereto erase the content that the personal computer 1-1 has checked outto the portable device 6-3, and updates the usage rule data for thecontent having thus been erased.

[0083] The personal computer 1-1 cannot check in the content that thepersonal computer 1-1 has checked out to the portable device 6-1. Thepersonal computer 1-1 cannot check in the content that the personalcomputer 1-1 has checked out to the portable device 6-2. The personalcomputer 1-1 cannot check in the content that the personal computer 1-1has checked out to the portable device 6-3.

[0084] The system includes a personal computer 1-2 connected to anetwork 2 composed of a local area network (LAN), Internet or the like.The personal computer 1-2 receives a content from the EMD servers 4-1 to4-3 or those read from a CD which will further be described later,converts the content to a one compressed by a predetermined method,encrypts the data by a method such as DES, and then records the data.

[0085] Correspondingly to the above content recorded as encrypted, thepersonal computer 1-2 records a usage rule under which the contentshould be used. The usage rule data concerns for example simultaneoususe of the contents corresponding to the usage rule at three portabledevices, copy to the portable devices, move to another personalcomputer, etc. The usage rule data will further be described later.

[0086] The personal computer 1-2 stores the content recorded therein asencrypted as well as data related to the content into the portabledevice 6-4 connected thereto, and updates the usage rule data for thecontent having thus been stored into the portable device 64, that is,checks out the content. That is, if there is an instruction of checkingout of the content, the personal computer 1-2 does not check out thecontent to the portable device 6-4 when the usage period, the number ofreproduction or the like described later is set to the content.

[0087] Moreover, the personal computer 1-2 has the portable device 6-4connected thereto erase the content that the personal computer 1-2 haschecked out to the portabl e device 64, and updates the usage rule datafor the content having thus been erased.

[0088] The personal computer 1-2 cannot check in the content that thepersonal computer 1-2 has checked out to the portable device 64.

[0089] Hereinafter, when there is no need to distinguish between thepersonal computer 1-1 and the personal computer 1-2, it is merely calledthe the personal computer 1.

[0090] As shown, the music data management system includes an EMD(electrical music distribution) registration server 3. Upon reception ofa request content distribution from the personal computer 1 startingacquisition of a content from the EMD servers 4-1 to 4-3, the EMDregistration server 3 sends to the personal computer 1 via the network 2an authenticate key necessary for mutual authentication between thepersonal computer 1 and EMD servers 4-1 to 4-3, and also a programrequired for connection to the EMD servers 4-1 to 4-3.

[0091] Correspondingly to the request from the personal computer 1, theEMD server 4-1 supplies a content as well as data related to the contentsuch as music title, number of reproduction, reproduction period orequalizer information orthe like to the personal computer 1 via thenetwork 2. Also the EMD server 4-2 supplies a content to the personalcomputer 1 via the network 2 correspondingly to that request. Furtherthe EMD server 4-3 supplies a content to the personal computer 1 via thenetwork 2 correspondingly to the request from the personal computer 1.

[0092] The content supplied from the EMD servers 4-1 to 4-3 have beencompressed by the same method or different methods, and also encryptedby the same method or different methods.

[0093] As shown, the music data management system further includes WWW(worldwide web) servers 5-1 and 5-2. Correspondingly to the request fromthe personal computer 1, the WWW server 5-1 supplies to the personalcomputer 1 via the network 2 data on a CD from which a content has beenread (e.g., name of album recorded in the CD, distributor or supplier ofthe CD and the like) and data (e.g., music title (or content name),composer's name (or artist name) and the like) corresponding to thecontent having been read from the CD. Also correspondingly to therequest from the personal computer 1, the WWW server 5-2 supplies to thepersonal computer 1 via the network 2 data on a CD from which a contenthave been read and data corresponding to the content having been readfrom the CD.

[0094] The portable device 6-1 stores the content supplied from thepersonal computer 1 (namely, “checked-out content”) as well as datarelated to the content such as music title, number of reproduction,reproduction period or equalizer information orthe like. The portabledevice 6-1 plays back the stored content based on the data related tothe content and output them to a headphone or the like (not shown).

[0095] For example, when the content is to be played back more than thenumber of reproduction stored as the data related to the content, theportable device 6-1 terminates the reproduction of the content. When thecontent is to be played back after the reproduction period stored as thedata related to the content, the portable device 6-1 terminates thereproduction of the content. The portable device 6-1 equalizes the soundbased on the equalizer information stored as the data related to thecontent for output.

[0096] The user can disconnect from the personal computer 1 the portabledevice 6-1 having the content stored therein, carry it with him or her,and play back the stored content. Thus the user can listen to musicpieces or the like corresponding to the content using an electricalacoustic converter such as a headphone or the like.

[0097] Also, the portable device 6-2 stores the content supplied fromthe personal computer 1 as well as data related to the content. Theportable device 6-2 plays back the stored content based on the datarelated to the content and output them to a headphone or the like (notshown). The user can disconnect from the personal computer 1 theportabledevice 6-2 having the content stored therein, carry it with him, andplay back the stored content. Thus the user can listen to music piecesor the like corresponding to the content using a headphone or the like.

[0098] Also, the portable device 6-3 stores the content supplied fromthe personal computer 1 as well as data related to the content. Theportable device 6-3 plays back the stored content based on the datarelated to the content and output them to a headphone or the like (notshown). The user can disconnect from the personal computer 1 theportable device 6-3 having the content stored therein, carry it withhim, and play back the stored content. Thus the user can listen to musicpieces or the like corresponding to the content using a headphone or thelike.

[0099] Also, the portable device 64 stores the content supplied from thepersonal computer 1, or the content whose usage period or number ofreproduction described later is not set, as well as data related to thecontent. The portable device 64 plays back the stored content based onthe data related to the content and output them to a headphone or thelike (not shown). The user can disconnect from the personal computer 1the portable device 64 having the content stored therein, carry it withhim, and play back the stored content. Thus the user can listen to musicpieces or the like corresponding to the content using a headphone or thelike.

[0100] The personal computer 1-1 used on the music data managementsystem shown in FIG. 1 has a structure shown in FIG. 2, and a CPU(central processing unit) 11 comprised in the personal computer 1-1actually executes a variety of application programs (will be detailedlater) and OS (operating system). Also, the personal computer 1 includesa ROM (read-only memory) 12 and a RAM (random-access memory) 13.Generally, the ROM 12 stores programs used by the CPU 11 and basicallyfixed data of arithmetic parameters. The RAM 13 stores programs executedby the CPU 11 and parameters which will appropriately vary during theexecution of the programs.

[0101] These components are connected to each other via a host bus 14composed of a CPU bus, etc. The host bus 14 is connected to an externalbus 16 such as a PCI (peripheral component interconnect/interface) via abridge 15.

[0102] The personal computer 1 is provided also with a keyboard 18,mouse 19, display unit 20 and an HDD 21. The keyboard 18 is operated bythe user to input a variety of commands to the CPU 11. The mouse 19 isalso operated by the user for pointing and selection on the screen ofthe display unit 20. The display 20 is an LCD (liquid crystal display)unit or a CRT (cathode ray tube) display unit to display a variety ofinformation as a text or image. The HDD (hard disc drive) 21 drives ahard disc or hard discs to write or read a program executed by the CPU11 and information to or from the hard disc.

[0103] Further the personal computer 1 is provided with a drive 22 toread data or program recorded in a magnetic disc 41, optical disc 42(including CD), magnetooptical disc 43 or semiconductor memory 44 set inthe drive 22, and supply it to the RAM 13 connected via an interface 17,external bridge 16, bridge 15 and host bus 14 to the drive 22.

[0104] Moreover the personal computer 1 is provided with USB (universalserial bus) ports 23-1 to 23-3, The portable device 6-1 is connected tothe USB port 23-1 via a predetermined cable. The USB port 23-1 deliversto the portable device 6-1 the data (e.g., content or command to theportable device 6-1) supplied from the HDD 21, CPU 11 or RAM 13 via theinterface 17, external bus 16, bridge 15 or host bus 14.

[0105] To the USB port 23-2, there is the portable device 6-2 via apredetermined cable. The USB port 23-2 delivers to the portable device6-2 the data (e.g., content or command to the portable device 6-2)supplied from the HDD 21, CPU 11 or RAM 13 via the interface 17,external bus 16, bridge 15 or host bus 14.

[0106] The USB port 23-3 has the portable device 6-3 connected theretovia a predetermined cable. The USB port 23-3 delivers to the portabledevice 6-3 the data (e.g., content or command to the portable device6-3) supplied from the HDD 21, CPU 11 or RAM 13 via the interface 17,external bus 16, bridge 15 or host bus 14.

[0107] The personal computer 1 is further provided with a speaker 24which outputs a predetermined sound corresponding to a content based ondata or sound signal supplied from the interface 17.

[0108] As shown, the above components from the keyboard 18 to speaker 24are connected to the interface 17 which is connected to the CPU 11 viathe external bus 16, bridge 15 and host bus 14.

[0109] Further the personal computer 1 is provided with a communicationsunit 25 to which the network 2 is connected. The communications unit 25stores in the form of a predetermined packet data supplied from the CPU11 or HDD 21 (e.g., request for registration, request for sending of acontent or the like), and sends the data via the network 2, and outputsdata stored in the received packet (e.g., authenticate key, content orthe like) to the CPU 11, RAM 13 or HDD 21 via the network 2.

[0110] The communications unit 25 is connected to the CPU 11 via theexternal bus 16, bridge 15 and hist bus 14.

[0111] As the other personal computer 1-2 has a similar structure tothat of the personal computer 1-1, the explanation is omitted.

[0112] Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown the configuration of theEMD registration server 3. As shown, the EMD registration server 3includes a CPU 61, ROM 62 and a RAM 63. The CPU 61 actually executes avariety of application programs and OS. Generally, the ROM 62 storesprograms used by the CPU 61 and basically fixed data of arithmeticparameters. The RAM 63 stores programs executed by the CPU 61 andparameters which will appropriately vary during the execution of theprograms. These components are connected to each other via a host bus 64composed of a CPU bus, etc.

[0113] The host bus 64 is connected to an external bus 66 such as a PCIbus via a bridge 65.

[0114] The EMD registration server 3 is provided also with a keyboard68, mouse 69, display unit 70 and an HDD 71. The keyboard 68 is operatedby the user to input a variety of commands to the CPU 61. The mouse 69is also operated by the user for pointing and selection on the screen ofthe display unit 70. The display 70 is an LCD unit or a CRT display unitto display a variety of information as a text or image. The HDD 71drives a hard disc or hard discs to write or read a program executed bythe CPU 61 and information to or from the hard disc.

[0115] Further the EMD registration server 3 is provided with a drive 72to read data or program recorded in a magnetic disc 91, optical disc 92,magneto-optical disc 93 or semiconductor memory 94 set in the drive 72,and supply it to the RAM 63 connected via an interface 67, external bus66, bridge 65 and host bus 64 to the drive 72.

[0116] As shown, the above components from the keyboard 68 to drive 72are connected to the interface 67 which is connected to the CPU 61 viathe external bus 66, bridge 65 and host bus 64.

[0117] Further the EMD registration server 3 is provided with acommunications unit 73 to which the network 2 is connected. Thecommunications unit 73 outputs data stored in the received packet to theCPU 61, RAM 63 or HDD 71 (e.g., data required for registration whichwill further be described later, predetermined program ID (identifier)or the like), and stores data supplied from the CPU 61 or HDD 71 (e.g.,a predetermined number of authenticate keys, program or the like) in theform of a predetermined packet for sending via the network 2.

[0118] The communications unit 73 is connected to the CPU 61 via theexternal bus 66, bridge 65 and hist bus 64.

[0119] The EMD servers 4-1 to 4-3 and WWW servers 5-1 and 5-2 areconstructed similarly to the EMD registration server 3. Therefore, theywill not be described any further.

[0120] Next, functions the personal computer 1 can perform by executingpredetermined programs will be described herebelow:

[0121] Referring now to FIG. 4, there are shown in the form of a blockdiagram the functions of the personal computer 1, which can be performedby CPU 11 executing predetermined programs.

[0122] The CPU 11 executes a content management program 111 composed ofa plurality of programs including an EMD selection program 131,check-in/checkout management program 132, encryption method conversionprogram 133, compression method conversion program 134, encryptionprogram 135, usage rule conversion program 136, signature managementprogram 137, authentication program 138, decryption program 139, PDdriver 140, and purchase drivers 141 and 142.

[0123] The content management program 111 is stated with shuffledinstructions, encrypted instructions or the like for example to concealwhat are to be done under such instructions. Namely, it is difficult toknow what is to be effected according to the content management program111. For example, even if the content management program 111 is readdirectly by the user, no instructions included in the program 111 willnot be identifiable.

[0124] When the content management program 111 is installed in thepersonal computer 1, the EMD selection program 131 will not be includedin the content management program 111 but will be received from the EMDregistration server 3 via the network 2 during EMD registration whichwill further be described later. The EMD selection program 131 is toselect connection with any of the EMD servers 4-1 to 4-3 and have apurchase application program 115 or the purchase driver 141 or 142communicate with any of the EMD servers 4-1 to 4-3 (for example,downloading of a content to be purchased or the like).

[0125] The check-in/checkout management program 132 is to set eithercheck-in or checkout, and check out contents stored in content files161-1 to 161-N to any of the portable devices 6-1 to 6-3 based on usagerule files 162-1 to 162-N recorded in a content data base 114 or checkin contents stored in the portable devices 6-1 to 6-3.

[0126] Correspondingly to either the check-in or checkout set as in theabove, the check-in/checkout management program 132 updates usage ruledata stored in the usage rule files 162-1 to 162-N recorded in thecontent data base 114.

[0127] The encryption method conversion program 133 is to convert anencryption method having been used to encrypt a content the purchaseapplication program 115 has received from the EMD server 4-1 via thenetwork 2, a one having been used to encrypt a content the purchasedriver 141 has received from the EMD server 4-2 via the network 2 or aone having been used to encrypt a content the purchase driver 142 hasreceived from the EMD server 4-3 via the network 2, to the sameencryption method as that having been used to encrypt contents stored inthe content files 161-1 to 161-N the content data base 114 have recordedtherein.

[0128] Also, when checking out a content to the portable device 6-1 or6-3, the encryption method conversion program 133 is used to convert anencryption method by which a content to be checked out to a one theportable device 6-1 or 6-3 can use.

[0129] The compression method conversion program 134 is to convert acompression method having been used to compress a content the purchaseapplication program 115 has received from the EMD server 4-1 via thenetwork 2, a one having been used to compress a content the purchasedriver 141 has received from the EMD server 4-2 via the network 2 or aone having been used to compress a content the purchase driver 142 hasreceived from the EMD server 4-3 via the network 2, to the samecompression method as that having been used to compress contents storedin the content files 161-1 to 161-N the content data base 114 havingrecorded therein.

[0130] The compression method conversion program 134 is read e.g. from aCD, and encodes the uncompressed contents supplied from the recordingprogram 113 by the same encoding method as one of the contents stored inthe content files 161-1 to 161-N the content data base 114 havingrecorded therein.

[0131] Also, when checking out a content to the portable device 6-1 or6-3, the compression method conversion program 134 is used to convertthe compression method having been used to compress the content to bechecked out to a one the portable device 6-1 or 6-3 can use.

[0132] The encryption program 135 is to encrypt a content having beenread from a CD for example and supplied from a recording program 113(not yet encrypted) by the encryption method having been used to encryptcontents stored in the content files 161-1 to 161-N recorded in thecontent data base 114.

[0133] The usage rule conversion program 136 is to convert the usagerule data for content the purchase application program 115, purchasedriver 141 or purchase driver 142 has received from the EMD server 4-1,4-2 or 4-2, respectively, via the network 2, to the same format as thatof the usage rule data stored in the usage rule files 161-1 to 161-Nrecorded in the content data base 114.

[0134] Also, when checking out a content to the portable device 6-1 or6-3, the usage rule conversion program 136 converts the usage rule forthe content to be checked out to a usage rule data the portable device6-1 or 6-3 can use.

[0135] The signature management program 137 is to find, before check-inor checkout of a content, any falsification of the usage rule based on asignature (will further be described later) included in the usage ruledata stored in the usage rule files 162-1 to 162-N recorded in thecontent data base 114, and updates the signature included in the usagerule data correspondingly to an update of the usage rule data stored inthe usage rule files 162-1 to 162-N recorded in the content data base114, the update having occurred after the check-in or checkout of thecontent.

[0136] The authentication program 138 is to provide a mutualauthentication between the content management program 111 and purchaseapplication program 115, and a mutual authentication between the contentmanagement program 111 and purchase driver 141. Also, the authenticationprogram 138 stores authenticate keys for use in a mutual authenticationbetween the EMD server 4-1 and purchase application program 115, amutual authentication between the EMD server 4-1 and purchase driver141, and a mutual authentication between the EMD server 4-3 and purchasedriver 142.

[0137] The authenticate key used by authentication program 138 for themutual authentication has not yet been stored in the authenticationprogram 138 when the content management program 111 is installed in thepersonal computer 1 but it will be supplied from the EMD registrationserver 3 and stored in the authentication program 138 when aregistration has successfully been done by a display/operationinstruction program 112.

[0138] When the personal computer 1 reproduces contents stored in thecontent files 161-1 to 161-N recorded in the content data base 114, thedecryption program 139 is to decrypt the content.

[0139] When checking out a predetermined content to the portable device6-2 or checking in a predetermined content from the portable device 6-2,the PD driver 140 is to supply the portable device 6-2 with the contentor a command to have the portable device 6-2 execute a predeterminedoperation.

[0140] When checking out a predetermined content to the portable device6-1 or checking in a predetermined content from the portable device 6-1,the PD driver 140 is to supply a device driver 116-1 with the content ora command to have the device driver 116-1 execute a predeterminedoperation.

[0141] When checking out a predetermined content to the portable device6-3 or checking in a predetermined content from the portable device 6-3,the PD driver 140 is to supply a device driver 116-2 with the content ora command to have the device driver 116-2 execute a predeterminedoperation.

[0142] The purchase driver 141 is a so-called plug-in program. It isinstalled along with the content management program 111, and suppliedfrom the EMD registration server 3 via the network 2 or as recorded in apredetermined CD. Installed in the personal computer 1, the purchasedriver 141 is to send and receive data to and from the contentmanagement program 111 via an interface of a predetermined type thecontent management program 111 has.

[0143] The purchase driver 141 sends to the EMD server 4-2 via thenetwork 2 a request for sending a predetermined content, and receivesthe content from the EMD server 4-2. Also, the purchase driver 141 makesan accounting when receiving a content from the EMD server 4-2.

[0144] The purchase driver 142 is a program which is to be installedalong with the content management program 111. It is to send to the EMDserver 4-3 via the network 2 a request for sending a predeterminedcontent, and receives the content from the EMD server 4-3. Also, thepurchase driver 142 makes an accounting when receiving a content fromthe EMD server 4-3.

[0145] The display/operation instruction program 112 is to have thedisplay unit 20 display a predetermined window image based on afiltering data file 181, display data file 182, image files 183-1 to183-K or history data file 184, and instruct the content managementprogram 111 by means of the keyboard 18 or mouse 19 to check in or out acontent.

[0146] The filtering data file 181 has stored therein data for weightingeach of contents stored in the content files 161-1 to 161-N recorded inthe content data base 114, and it is recorded in the HDD 21.

[0147] The display data file 182 has stored therein data correspondingto contents stored in the content files 161-1 to 161-N recorded in thecontent data base 114, and it is recorded in the HDD 21.

[0148] The image files 183-1 to 183-K have stored therein imagescorresponding to the content files 161-1 to 161-N recorded in thecontent data base 114 or images corresponding to packages which willfurther be described later, and they are recorded in the HDD 21.

[0149] In the following, the image files 183-1 to 183-K will be referredto simply as “image file 183” where it is not necessary to identify themindividually.

[0150] The history data file 184 has stored therein history dataincluding numbers of times contents stored in the content files 161-1 to161-N recorded in the content data base 114 have been checked out,numbers of times the contents stored in the content files 161-1 to 161-Nhave been checked in, dates of the check-in and checkout, etc., and itis recorded in the HDD 21.

[0151] For the registration, the display/operation instruction program112 is to send a previously stored ID of the content management program111 to the EMD registration server 3 via the network 2 while receivingan authenticate key and EMD selection program 131 from the EMDregistration server 3, and supplies the content management program 111with the authenticate key and EMD selection program 131.

[0152] The recording program 113 is to read out data such as a datarecording time, etc. from a CD which is the optical disc 42 set in thedrive 22 based on an operation made to the keyboard 18 or mouse 19,while displaying a predetermined window image.

[0153] The recording program 113 requests, via the network 2, forsending to the WWW server 5-1 or 5-2 of data corresponding to a CD(e.g., album name, artist name and the like) or data corresponding tocontents recorded in the CD (e.g., content names and the like) based onthe content recording time recorded in the CD while receiving, from theWWW server 5-1 or 5-2 data corresponding to a CD or data correspondingto contents recorded in the CD.

[0154] The recording program 113 is to supply received datacorresponding to a CD or data corresponding to contents recorded in theCD to the display/operation instruction program 112.

[0155] When supplied with a recording instruction, the recording program113 reads out contents from a CD being the optical disc 42 set in thedrive 22 and outputs it as well as the usage rule data corresponding tothe content such as No. of maximum possible checkouts to the contentmanagement program 111.

[0156] The content data base 114 stores in any of the content files161-1 to 161-N contents supplied from the content management program111, compressed by a predetermined method and encrypted by apredetermined method (namely, they are recorded in the HDD 21). Thecontent data base 114 stores in any of the usage rule files 162-1 to162-N corresponding to the content files 161-1 to 161-N, respectively,having contents stored therein usage rule data corresponding to thecontents stored in the content files 161-1 to 161-N, respectively(namely, they are recorded in the HDD 21).

[0157] The content data base 114 may have stored therein the contentfiles 161-1 to 161-N or usage rule files 162-1 to 162-N as records.

[0158] For example, usage rule data corresponding to a content stored inthe content file 161-1 is stored in the usage rule file 162-1. Also,usage rule data corresponding to a content stored in the content file161-N is stored in the usage file 162-N.

[0159] A starting program 117 is, so to speak, a resident program whichis continuously operating while the operating system of the personalcomputer 1-1 is operating, and starts the display/operation instructionprogram 112 when it is not started if the starting program 117 receivesfrom the device driver 116-2 a signal meaning the portable device 6-1has been connected to the USB port 23-1.

[0160] Also, the starting program 117 starts the display/operationinstruction program 112 when it is not started if the starting program117 receives from the device driver 116-2 a signal meaning the portabledevice 6-3 has been connected to the USB port 233.

[0161] When the display/operation instruction program 112 is started bythe starting program 117 as the portable device 6-1 is connected to theUSB port 23-1, or as the portable device 6-3 is connected to the USBport 23-3, the display/operation instruction program 112 reads out fromthe portable device 6-1 or 6-3 data related to the content, such asmusic title, playing time and the like, recorded in the portable device6-1 or 6-3 to display them on a predetermined window described later.

[0162] Further, when the display/operation instruction program 112 isstarted by the starting program 117 as the portable device 6-1 isconnected to the USB port 23-1, or as the portable device 6-3 isconnected to the USB port 23-3, the display/operation instructionprogram 112 checks in the content, that is limited to the contentchecked out from the personal computer 1-1, from the portable device 6-1or 6-3 connected, selects the content based on a predetermined setting,and checks out the selected content to the portable device 6-1 or 6-3,if the predetermined setting is set to the display/operation instructionprogram 112.

[0163] In the following, the content files 161-1 to 161-N will bereferred to simply as “content file 161” where it is not necessary toidentify them individually. Also, in the following, the usage rule files162-1 to 162-N will be referred to simply as “usage rule file 162” whereit is not necessary to identify them individually.

[0164] As the function of the other personal computer 1-2 is similar tothat of the personal computer 1-1 described above, the explanation isomitted.

[0165] Referring now to FIG. 5, there is shown an example of usage ruledata stored in the usage rule files 162-1 to 162-N. For the item“Content ID”, there is set data to identify a content stored in each ofthe content files 161-1 to 161-N. For the item “checkout Possible?”,there is set either “YES” or “NO”. When “YES” is set for this item, thecontent management program 111 can check out a content identified withthe “Content ID” to any of the portable devices 6-1 to 6-3. When “NO” isset for the item “Checkout Possible?”, the content management program111 will not check out the content identified with the “Content ID” toany of the portable devices 6-1 to 6-3.

[0166] For the item “No. of Maximum Possible Checkouts”, there is set amaximum number of times the content management program 111 can check outeither the corresponding content file 161-1 or 161-N. The number ofmaximum possible checkouts will not be changed.

[0167] For the item “No. of Possible Checkouts”, there is set a numberof times the content management program 111 can check out either thecorresponding content file 161-1 or 161-N at the time. When the contentmanagement program 111 checks out a content once, the number for theitem “No. of Possible Checkouts” is decremented correspondingly. Whenthe content management program 111 checks in a content once, the numberfor the item “No. of Possible Checkouts” is incremented correspondingly.

[0168] When neither the corresponding content file 161-1 nor 161-N ischecked out, a value equal to the number of maximum possible checkoutsis set as the corresponding number of possible checkouts.

[0169] When the number for the item “No. of Possible Checkouts” changesfrom “1” to “0” as the result of the checkouts done by the contentmanagement program 111, there will be set “NO” for the item “CheckoutPossible?”. When the number for the item “No. of Possible Checkouts”changes from “0” to “1” as the result of the checkin's done by thecontent management program 111, there will be set “YES” for the item“Checkout Possible?”.

[0170] In the item “Move Possible?”, there is set either “YES” or “NO”.When “YES” is set for this item, the content management program 111 canmove a content identified with the “Content ID”. When “NO” is set forthe item “Move Possible”, the content management program 111 will notmove the content identified with the “Content ID”.

[0171] In the item “Copy Possible?”, there is set either “YES” or “NO”.When “YES” is set for this item, the content management program 111 cancopy a content identified with the “Content ID”. When “NO” is set forthis item, the content management program 111 will not copy the contentidentified with the “Content ID”.

[0172] In the item “Number of Possible Copies”, there is set a number oftimes the content management program 111 can effect content copy.

[0173] In the item “Usage Period”, there is stated a period for which acontent identified with the “Content ID” can be used (checkout orplayback).

[0174] In the item “Content-Usable District”, there is stated a district(e.g., Japan or Worldwide) where a content identified with the “ContentID” can be used (checkout or playback).

[0175] In the item “Signature”, there is stored data (will be referredto as “signature data” hereinafter) the signature management program 137generates based on data set in the items “Content ID” to “Content-UsableDistrict”. The signature data is used for detection of any falsificationof usage rule data. The algorithm used by the signature managementprogram 137 for generation of signature data is a unidirectionalfunction. Since it is not disclosed to the public, it is difficult forany other than the supplier of the content management program 111 togenerate a correct signature data based on data set in the items“Content ID” to “Content-Usable Districf”.

[0176] The purchase application program 115 is supplied from the EMDregistration server 3 via the network 2 or as recorded in apredetermined CD. The purchase application program 115 is to request theEMD server 4-1 for sending a predetermined content, receives the contentfrom the EMD server 4-1 and supplies it to the content managementprogram 111. Also, the purchase management program 115 makes anaccounting when receiving the content from the EMD server 4-1.

[0177] Next, correspondence between data stored in the display data file82 and the content files 161-1 to 161-N stored in the content data basewill be described:

[0178] A content stored in any of the content files 161-1 to 161-Nbelongs to a predetermined package. In detail, the package is anoriginal package, My select package or a filtering package.

[0179] More than one content belong to the original package. Theoriginal package corresponds to the content classification in the EMDservers 4-1 to 4-3 (e.g., so-called album) or to a single CD. Thecontents belong to any original package and cannot belong to a pluralityof original packages. The original package to which the contents belongcannot be modified. The user can edit (addition of information ormodification of added information) a part of information correspondingto the original package.

[0180] Referring now to FIG. 6, there is shown an example of therelation between the original package display data 201 included in adisplay data file 182 and content files 161-1 to 161-N. The relationdefines the relation between an original package and contents. Theoriginal package display data 201 includes package display data 221-1 to221-M.

[0181] The package display data 211-1 is related with the contentdisplay data 221-1-1 to 221-1-i.

[0182] The content display data 221-1-1 corresponds to a content storedin the content file 161-1. Usage rule data for a content stored in thecontent file 161-1 is stored in the usage rule 162-1.

[0183] The content display data 221-1-2 corresponds to a content storedin the content file 161-2. Usage rule data for a content stored in thecontent file 161-2 is stored in the usage rule 162-2.

[0184] The content display data 221-1-i corresponds to a content storedin the content file 161-q. Usage rule data for a content stored in thecontent file 1 ⁶ 1-q is stored in the usage rule 162-q.

[0185] The package display data 211-2 are related with the contentdisplay data 221-2-1 to 221-2-j.

[0186] The content display data 221-2-1 corresponds to a content storedin the content file 161-(q+1). Usage rule data for a content stored inthe content file 161-(q+1) is stored in the usage rule 162-(q+1).

[0187] The content display data 221-2-2 corresponds to a content storedin the content file 161-(q+2). Usage rule data for a content stored inthe content file 161-(q+2) is stored in the usage rule 162-(q+2).

[0188] The content display data 221-2-j corresponds to a content storedin the content file 161-r. Usage rule data for a content stored in thecontent file 161-r is stored in the usage rule 162-r.

[0189] Similarly, the package display data 211-M are related with thecontent display data 221-M-1 to 221-M-p.

[0190] The content display data 221-M-p corresponds to a content storedin the content file 161-N. Usage rule data for a content stored in thecontent file 161-N is stored in the usage rule 162-N.

[0191] In the following, the package display data 211-1 to 211-M will bereferred to simply as “package display data 211” where it is notnecessary to identify them individually. Also, the content display data221-1-1 to 221-M-p will be referred to simply as “content display data221” where it is not necessary to identify them individually. Also, thecontent display data 161-1 to 161-N will be referred to simply as“content display data 161” where it is not necessary to identify themindividually. The usage rule files 162-1 to 162-N will be referred tosimple as “usage rule file 162” where it is not necessary to identifythem individually.

[0192] Referring now to FIGS. 7A to 7C, there is shown an example of thecomposition of the display data file 182. FIG. 7A shows an example ofthe original package display data 201. The original package display data201 corresponds to a main table which stores display data correspondingto the package of the display data file 182, and includes package IDdata for identification of a package, package type data foridentification of either My Select package or filtering package, data ofa package source in which a name of any one of the EMD servers 4-1 to4-3 or a CD is set, package name data, artist name data, genre namedata, content ID data indicating name of image file in which an imagecorresponding to a package is stored, and content ID data correspondingto more than one content belonging to a package.

[0193] Information corresponding to an original package added by theuser is added to the main table or a sub table not shown.

[0194]FIG. 7B shows an example of the content display data 221. Thecontent display data 221 corresponds to a main table of the display datafile 182 which stores display data corresponding to the content, andincludes content ID data, original package ID data for identification ofan original package to which a corresponding package belong, contentname data, data on number of checkouts, data on maximum number ofcheckouts, and data for indicating name of image file in which an imagecorresponding to a content is stored.

[0195] Further, the display data file 182 may be made to correspond to acontent ID and have data type and data recorded in the sub table, asshown in FIG. 7C. In the sub table are recorded data and the data typewhich is different from that of the main table, corresponding to eachcontent ID per a record.

[0196] For example, in the sub table of the display data file 182 shownin FIG. 7C are recorded a cyber code (trademark), an ISRC (InternationalStandard Recording Code), a songwriter name and a composer namecorresponding to the content whose content ID is 123×DES3. Also, in thesub table of the content display data 221 shown in FIG. 7C are recordeda cyber code (trademark), an ISRC, a reproduction period and number ofreproduction corresponding to the content whose content ID is 123×DES4.

[0197] Meanwhile, in the sub table of the display data file 182 may berecorded data and the data type which is different from that of the maintable of the package, corresponding to each package ID.

[0198] Accordingly, by using the sub table, even if a new type of datacorresponding to the content is added, the display data file 182 canrecord the data of the new type smoothly and promptly without changingthe system of the main table.

[0199] The My Select package has belonging thereto more than one contentfreely selected by the user. The user can freely make an edition to havea content belong to a My Select package. A content may belong to morethan one My Select package, and may not belong to any My Select package.

[0200] Referring now to FIG. 8, there is shown an example of therelation between the My Select package display data 241 belonging to thedisplay data file 182 and content files 161-1 to 161-N. The relationdefines the relation between a My Select package and contents. The MySelect package display data 241 includes package display data 251-1 to251-S.

[0201] The package display data 251-1 is related with the contentdisplay data 221-1-1, 221-2-2 or 221-1-i correspondingly to a settingmade by the user.

[0202] The package display data 251-2 is related with the contentdisplay data 221-2-j, 221-3-1 or 221-1-2 correspondingly to a settingmade by the user.

[0203] Similarly, the package display data 251-S is related with thecontent display data 221-2-2 or 221-1-i correspondingly to a settingmade by the user.

[0204] In the following, the package display data 251-1 to 251-S will bereferred to simply as “package display data 251” where it is notnecessary to identify them individually.

[0205] Since the package display data 251 has a similar composition tothat of the package display data 221 having been previously describedwith reference to FIG. 7A, so it will not be described any further.

[0206] Thus, the user can have a desired content belong to a My Selectpackage. One content belongs to a plurality of My Select packages as thecase may be.

[0207] The filtering package has belonging thereto a content selectedbased on filtering data stored in the filtering data file 181. Thefiltering data is supplied from the EMD servers 4-1 to 4-3 or WWW server5-1 or 5-2 via the network 2, or as recorded in a predetermined CD. Theuser may edit filtering data stored in the filtering file 181.

[0208] The filtering data is a reference for selection of apredetermined content or calculation of a weight corresponding to acontent. For example, using the filtering data corresponding to theJ-POP (Japanese pops) of the week, the personal computer 1 can identifyten contents from the best to tenth-place ones of the week.

[0209] The filtering data file 181 includes for example filtering datafor selection of contents in the descending order of the periods forwhich they have been checked out for the past one month, filtering datafor selection of contents having been checked out frequently for thepast half year or filtering data for selection of contents including aletter “love” in their name.

[0210] Thus, a content in the filtering package is selected by relatingthe content display data 221 corresponding to the content (includingdata set by the user in the content display data 221) or history data184 with a filtering data.

[0211] Referring now to FIG. 9, there is shown an example of therelation between the filtering package display data 281 belonging to thedisplay data file 182 and content files 161-1 to 161-N. The relationdefines the relation between a My Select package and contents. Thefiltering package display data 281 includes package display data 2911 to291-A.

[0212] The package display data 291-1 is related with the contentdisplay data 221-2-1, 221-1-2 or 221-M-p.

[0213] The package display data 291-2 is related with the contentdisplay data 221-1-i, 221-2j and 221-2-2.

[0214] Similarly, the package display data 291-A is related with thecontent display data 221-1-i, 221-2-j and 221-2-2.

[0215] In the following, the package display data 291-1 to 291-A will bereferred to simply as “package display data 291” where it is notnecessary to identify them individually.

[0216] Since the package display data 291 has a similar composition tothat of the package display data 221 having been previously describedwith reference to FIG. 7A, so it will not be described any further.

[0217] Thus, a predetermined content selected by the user operating thepersonal computer 1 belongs to the filtering package, and one contentbelongs to a plurality of filtering packages as the case may be.

[0218] Next, EMD registration will be described with reference to FIG.10. When the display/operation instruction program 112 is initiallystarted with the content management program 111 and display/operationinstruction program 112 installed in the personal computer 1, itreferences to a uniform resource locator (URL) and the like previouslystored therein, and connects to the EMD registration server 3 via thenetwork 2.

[0219] The EMD registration server 3 sends data for display of a screenintended for the registration to the display/operation instructionprogram 112. The display/operation instruction program 112 will displaya screen having an EMD registration button 311 disposed thereon on thedisplay unit 20 as shown in FIG. 11 for example.

[0220] When the EMD registration button 311 is clicked, thedisplay/operation instruction program 112 requests the EMD registrationserver 3 for sending an authenticate key 301 and EMD selection program131 previously recorded in the EMD registration server 3 along with apreviously stored ID for the content management program 111 andnecessary data for the registration (e.g., name of the user of thepersonal computer 1 and credit No.).

[0221] When it is determined that the received ID for the contentmanagement program 111 is valid, the EMD registration server 3 sends theauthenticate key 301 and EMD selection program 131 to thedisplay/operation instruction program 112 via the network 2.

[0222] On the contrary, when it is determined that the received ID forthe content management program 111 is invalid, the EMD registrationserver 3 will send a predetermined error message to thedisplay/operation instruction program 112 via the network 2. When the IDfor the content management program 111 is not invalid, thedisplay/operation instruction program 112 cannot acquire theauthenticate key 301 and EMD selection program 131.

[0223] Upon reception of the authenticate key 301 and EMD selectionprogram 131 from the EMD registration server 3, the display/operationinstruction program 112 will supply the authenticate key 301 and EMDselection program 131 to the content management program 111.

[0224] When supplied with the authenticate key 301 and EMD selectionprogram 131 from the display/operation instruction program 112, thecontent management program 11 will install and start the EMD selectionprogram 131, and supply the authenticate key 301 to the authenticationprogram 138. The authentication program 138 stores therein the acquiredauthenticate key 301.

[0225] After started, the EMD selection program 131 will display, on thedisplay unit 20, a window having disposed therein buttons for startingthe connection with any of the EMD servers 4-1 to 4-3 as shown in FIG.12 for example.

[0226] When an EXA-SOFT AUDIO button 331 for example is clicked, thecontent management program 111 starts apurchase application 151 andconnects the purchase application 151 to the EMD server 4-1. At thistime, the authentication program 138 uses the authenticate key 301 toexecute a mutual authentication with the purchase application 151 andhas the purchase application 151 make a mutual authentication with theEMD server 4-1.

[0227] When the purchase application 151 has successfully made themutual authentication with the EMD server 4-1, it will display, on thedisplay unit 20, a screen for purchase of a content as shown in FIG. 13for example.

[0228] When an AQUA AUDIO button 332 for example, shown in FIG. 12, isclicked, the content management program 111 will install the purchasedriver 141 being a plug-in program, and connect the purchase driver 141to the EMD server 4-2. At this time, the authentication program 138 usesthe authenticate key 301 to execute a mutual authentication with thepurchase driver 141 and has the purchase driver 141 make a mutualauthentication with the EMD server 4-2.

[0229] When the purchase driver 141 has succeeded in the mutualauthentication with the EMD server 4-2, it will display, on the displayunit 20, a screen for purchase of a content as shown in FIG. 14 forexample.

[0230] Similarly, when a DMD button 333 for example, shown in FIG. 12,is clicked, the content management program 111 will connect the purchasedriver 142 to the EMD server 4-3. At this time, the authenticationprogram 138 uses the authenticate key 301 to execute a mutualauthentication with the EMD server 4-3 via the purchase driver 142.

[0231] Note that when a check button 334 (DIRECT CHECKOUT) shown in FIG.12 is checked, a content received from any of the EMD servers 4-1 to 4-3(namely, the content is purchased) is stored into the content data base114 and checked out to any predetermined one of the portable devices 6-1to 6-3.

[0232] Next, reading of a content from a CD set in the drive 22 andrecording of the content will be described.

[0233] Referring now to FIG. 15, there is shown an example of thedisplay/operation instruction window the display/operation instructionprogram 112 displays on the display unit 20 when it is started aftercompletion of the EMD registration.

[0234] The display/operation instruction window has disposed therein abutton 341 for starting the recording program 113, button 342 forstarting the EMD selection program 131, button 343 for displaying afield in which check-in or checkout is set, and a button 344 fordisplaying a field for edition of a My Select package, that is, the MySelect package display data 241.

[0235] When a button 345 also disposed is selected, data correspondingto an original package is displayed in a field 351. When a button 346also disposed is selected, data corresponding to a My Select package isdisplayed in the field 351. When a button 347 also disposed is selected,data corresponding to a filtering package is displayed in the field 351.

[0236] Data displayed in the field 351 relates to a package, and it isfor example a package name or artist name.

[0237] As shown in FIG. 15, in the field 351, there are shown, forexample, a package name “FIRST” and artist name “A. TARO” stored in thepackage display data 221-1, a package name “SECOND” and artist name “A.TARO” stored in the package display data 221-2, etc.

[0238] In a field 352, there is shown data corresponding to contentsbelonging to packages selected in the field 351. Data displayed in thisfield 352 include content name, play time or number of possiblecheckouts, etc., for example.

[0239] In FIG. 15 for example, since a package corresponding to thepackage display data 221-2 is selected, there are displayed in the field351 a content name “MINAMINO-SAKABA” and number of possible checkouts “.. . ” (indicating three checkouts) stored in the content display data221-1 corresponding to contents belonging to a package corresponding tothe package display data 221-2, a content name “KITA-NOHAKABA” andnumber of possible checkouts “. . . ” (indicating two checkouts” storedin the content display data 221-2, etc.

[0240] One eighth note as the number of possible checkouts displayed inthe filed 352 indicates that the corresponding content can check outonce.

[0241] A rest note as the number of possible checkouts displayed in thefiled 352 indicates that the corresponding content cannot check out,that is, the number of possible checkouts is zero. Also, a treble clefas the number of possible checkouts displayed in the filed 352 indicatesthat there is no limit in the number of possible checkouts of thecorresponding content, that is, the corresponding content can check outwith no limit.

[0242] Note that the number of possible checkouts may not only beindicated with a number of predetermined figures (e.g., star, moon orthe like) as shown in FIG. 15 but also with a numeral or the likes.

[0243] Also the display/operation instruction window has disposedtherein a field 348 in which an image or the like corresponding to aselected package or content is displayed, and a button 349 for use toplay back a selected content (output a sound corresponding to thecontent from the speaker 24). To play back the selected content, thebutton 349 is to be clicked.

[0244] By selecting a predetermined content name displayed in the field352 and making an erasing operation while data corresponding to theoriginal package are being displayed in the field 351 with the button345 activated, the display/operation instruction program 112 will havethe content management program 111 erase a predetermined content storedin the content data base 114 and corresponding to the selected contentname.

[0245] Referring now to FIG. 16, there is shown, for explanation, awindow the recording program 113 has the display unit 20 display when itis started by clicking the button 341.

[0246] The recording program 113 reads a play time of a content from aCD set in the drive 22, and displays it in a field 383. Since the nameof the content is unknown, the recording program 113 will display“UNKNOWN” in a part of the field 383 in which a content name is to bedisplayed.

[0247] Since both he title of the CD set in the drive 22 and artist nameare unknown, the recording program 113 will display “UNKNOWN” in each ofa field 381 in which a CD title is to be displayed and a field 382 inwhich an artist name is to be displayed.

[0248] The window displayed on the display unit 20 by the recordingprogram 113 has further disposed therein a button 384 which is to beclicked for acquisition of information from a CD, and a button 385 forsetting whether or not a content read from the CD should automaticallybe checked out to any of the portable devices 6-1 to 6-3 when the readcontent is recorded into the content data base 114.

[0249] When the button 385 for example is clicked, the recording program113 will have the display unit 20 display a pulldown menu showing thelist of portable devices 6-1 to 6-3. When the user selects any of theportable devices 6-1 to 6-3 from the pulldown menu, the personalcomputer 1 will automatically check out a content recorded from the CDfor any selected one of the portable devices 6-1 to 6-3. When the userselects “NO CHECKOUT” from the pulldown menu, the personal computer 1will not check out any content recorded from the CD.

[0250] The window the recording program 113 has the display unit 20display has also disposed therein a button 386 for instructing the startof recording of a content recorded in the CD.

[0251] Referring now to FIG. 17, there is shown a property dialog boxthe recording program 113 has the display unit 20 display when CDinformation is to be acquired from either of the WWW servers 5-1 and 5-2and where it is set from which of the WWW servers 5-1 and 5-2 the CDinformation should be acquired.

[0252] The property dialog box has disposed therein a field 401 where itis set from which of the WWW servers 5-1 and 5-2 the CD informationshould be acquired. When “CDDB” for example is set in the field 401, therecording program 113 will request the WWW server 5-1 for sending the CDinformation. When “CDNEW JAPAN” (for example, the name of a company orsite providing a similar service to that provided by the CDNEW(trademark)) is set in the field 401, the recording program 113 willrequest the WWW server 5-2 corresponding to CDDB for sending the CDinformation.

[0253] When “CDDB” is set in the field 401, fields 402 and 403 will beready for such a setting. URL at the first site of CDDB is to be set inthe field 402 while that at the second site of CDDB is to be set in thefield 403.

[0254] When the CD information is received from either of the WWWservers 5-1 and 5-2, there will be set in a field 404 a directory inwhich the received information is to be recorded (any directory of theHDD 21).

[0255] When a button 405 also disposed in the property dialog box isclicked, the recording program 113 will access, via the network 2, apredetermined one of the WWW servers based on URL previously stored inthe recording program 113, acquire information on URL at the first siteof CDDB and URL at the second site of CDDB, and set the information onURL at the first site of CDDB as candidate information to be set in thefield 402 while setting the information on URL at the second site ofCDDB as candidate information to be set in the field 403, as shown inFIG. 18.

[0256] When the button 384 shown in FIG. 16 is clicked after the usersets “CDDB” in the field 401, URL at the first site of CDDB in the field402 and URL at the second site of CDDB in the field 403 as shown in FIG.19, the recording program 113 will connect to the WWW server 5-1 basedon URL set in the field 402 and URL set in the field 403, request theWWW server 5-1 for CD information by following a procedure correspondingto “CDDB” set in the field 401, and receive the CD information from theWWW server 5-1.

[0257] Referring now to FIG. 20, there is shown a window the recordingprogram 113 has the display unit 20 display when it has received the CDinformation from the WWW server 5-1 with the button 384 clicked. Basedon the CD information received from the WWW server 5-1, the recordingprogram 113 will display a CD title such as “Asynchronized” for examplein the field 381, and also an artist name such as “KUWAI” for example inthe field 382.

[0258] Based on the CD information received from the WWW server 5-1, therecording program 113 will display content names such as “HEAT”,“PLANET”, “BLACK”, “SOUL”, etc. for example in a part of the field 383where a content name is to be displayed, and also an artist name such as“KUWAI” for example in a part of the field 383 where an artist name isto be displayed.

[0259] When having received more two pieces of CD information from theWWW server 5-1, the recording program 113 will have the display unit 20display a dialog box as shown in FIG. 21 for selection by the user ofany of the CD information pieces.

[0260]FIG. 22 shows a dialog box the recording program 113 has thedisplay unit 20 display when the button 384 is clicked with “CDNEWJAPAN” set in the field 401 and in which a search keyword is to be set.

[0261] As shown in FIG. 22, the dialog box has disposed therein buttons431, 432, 433 and 434. The button 431 is to be activated by clicking forsearching CD information taking an album name as a search keyword. Thesearch keyword for the album name is set in a field 441 also disposed inthe dialog box.

[0262] The button 432 is to be activated by clicking for searching CDinformation taking an artist name as a search keyword. The searchkeyword for the artist name is set in a field 442 also disposed in thedialog box.

[0263] The button 433 is to be activated by clicking for searching CDinformation taking a content name as a search keyword. The searchkeyword for the content name is set in a field 443 also disposed in thedialog box.

[0264] The button 434 is to be activated by clicking for searching CDinformation taking a product No. as a search keyword. The search keywordfor the product No. is set in a field 444 also disposed in the dialogbox.

[0265] For searching CD information, at least any one of the buttons 431to 434 is activated.

[0266] When searching CD information taking an artist name as a searchkeyword as shown in FIG. 23, the button 434 is activated and a string ofcharacters indicating the artist name such as “KUWAI” is set in thefield 442.

[0267] When the search button disposed in the dialog box to set a searchkeyword is clicked, the recording program 113 will connect to the WWWserver 5-2 based on a previously stored URL or the like, request the WWWserver 5-2 for CD information following a procedure corresponding to“CDNEW JAPAN” set in the field 401 and based on the search keyword setin the dialog box, and receive the CD information from the WWW server5-2.

[0268] The WWW server 5-2 sends the CD information along with data fordisplaying an image which prompts the user to purchase a CD related withthe searched CD information to the personal computer 1 as shown in FIG.24. The user of the personal computer 1 can purchase a predetermined CDvia the network 2 based on the data for displaying the image whichprompts the user to purchase the CD.

[0269] Referring now to FIG. 25, there is shown, for explanation, awindow the recording program 113 has the display unit 20 display when ithas received the CD information from the WWW server 5-2 after clickingthe search button 384 disposed in the dialog box to set the searchkeyword. Based on the CD information received from the WWW server 5-2,the recording program 113 displays a CD title such as “Asynchronized”for example in the field 381, and also an artist name such as “KUWAI”for example in the field 382.

[0270] Based on the CD information received from the WWW server 5-2, therecording program 113 will display content names such as “HEAT”,“PLANET”, “BLACK”, “SOUL”, etc. for example in a part of the field 383where a content name is to be displayed, and also an artist name such as“KUWAI” for example in a part of the field 383 where an artist name isto be displayed.

[0271] After the recording program 113 receives a predetermined CDinformation, it will store the CD information into the directory in theHDD 21, designated in the field 404.

[0272] When instructed to acquire CD information by the user clickingthe button 384 or the like, the recording program 113 will first searchthe directory in the HDD 21, designed in the field 404. When the CDinformation is stored in the directory in the HDD 21, designated in thefield 404, the recording program 113 will display a dialog box 461 shownin FIG. 26 to prompt the user to select whether the CD informationstored in the directory designated in the field 404 is to be used.

[0273] When the button 386 for instructing to start recording of any oneof the contents displayed in the window the recording program 113 hasthe display unit 20 display is clicked, the recording program 113 willread the content from a CD set in the drive 22 and supply the contentread from the CD along with the CD information to the content managementprogram 111. The compression method conversion program 134 in thecontent management program 111 will compress the content supplied fromthe recording program 113 by a predetermined compression method, and theencryption program 135 will encrypt the compressed content. The usagerule conversion program 136 generates usage rule data corresponding tothe compressed and encrypted content.

[0274] The content management program 111 will thus supply thecompressed and encrypted content along with the usage rule data to thecontent data base 114.

[0275] The content data base 114 generates the content file 161 andusage rule file 162 corresponding to a content received from the contentmanagement program 111, and stores the content into the content file 161and the usage rule data into the usage rule file 162.

[0276] When the content and usage rule data corresponding to the contentare stored in the content data base 114, the content management program111 will supply the CD information and usage rule data received from therecording program 113 to the display/operation instruction program 112.

[0277] The display/operation instruction program 112 will generate theoriginal package display data 201 and content display data 221 based onthe usage rule data and CD information corresponding to the contentstored in the content data base 114 by the recording.

[0278] As shown in FIG. 27, when the button 345 is selected, the name ofthe original package (CD title) corresponding to the content stored inthe content data base 114 by the recording is displayed in the field 351in the display/operation instruction window. When the package isselected, a content name corresponding to the content read from the CDis displayed in the field 352.

[0279] When the content read from the CD is recorded in the content database 114 and the button 385 in the window the recording program 113 hasthe display unit 20 display is selected (activated), thedisplay/operation instruction program 112 displays, in thedisplay/operation instruction window, a field 481 in which the name of acontent stored in a previously designated one of the portable devices6-1 to 6-3 is to be displayed, as shown in FIG. 28.

[0280] Corresponding to each music title of the content, a symbolindicating if the content can check in to the personal computer 1-1 isdisplayed on the leftmost of the field 481. For example, a “∘”positioned on the leftmost of the field 481 indicates that the contentcorresponding to the music name of the content can check in to thepersonal computer 1-1, that is, the content has been checked out fromthe personal computer 1-1. As exemplified in FIG. 29, a “×” positionedon the leftmost of the field 481 indicates that the contentcorresponding to the music name of the content cannot check in to thepersonal computer 1-1, that is, the content has not been checked outfrom the personal computer 1-1, but instead, e.g., the content has beenchecked out from the personal computer 1-2.

[0281] The display/operation instruction program 112 has the contentmanagement program 111 check out the content read from the CD andrecorded in the content data base 114 to any of the portable devices 6-1to 6-3, previously designated.

[0282] Thus, just with the button 385, in the window the recordingprogram 113 has the display unit 20 display, being kept activated, whenthe content read from the CD is recorded into the content data base 114,the personal computer 1 can check out the content read from the CD toany of the portable devices 6-1 to 6-3, previously designated.

[0283] When the display/operation instruction program 112 has displayedthe field 481 in the display/operation instruction window, it alsodisplays, in the display/operation instruction window, a field 482 inwhich the name of a portable package to which a content stored in any ofthe portable devices 6-1 to 6-3, previously designated belongs (namely,a package to which a content stored in any of the portable devices 6-1to 6-3 belongs) is displayed, a button 483 to close the field 481, and abutton 484 to execute check-in or checkout.

[0284] Further, when the display/operation instruction program 112 hasdisplayed the field 481 in the display/operation instruction window, itdisplays, in the display/operation instruction window, also a button 491to set checkout of a content corresponding to content name selected inthe field 352, a button 492 to set check-in of a content correspondingto a content name selected in the field 481, a button 493 to setcheck-in of all contents corresponding to content names displayed in thefield 481, and a button 494 to cancel the setting of check-in orcheckout.

[0285] Next, setting of check-in or checkout and execution of thecheck-in or checkout will be described below:

[0286] When the button 343 for displaying a filed in which check-in orcheckout is to be set is clicked, the display/operation instructionprogram 112 displays, in the display/operation instruction window, thefield 481 in which the name of a content stored in any of the portabledevices 6-1 to 6-3, previously designated is to be displayed.

[0287] For example, when content names “MINAMI-NO-SAKABA”,“KITA-NO-HAKABA” and “SHICHINARABE” displayed in the field 352 areselected as shown in FIG. 29 and the button 491 is clicked, thedisplay/operation instruction program 112 sets checkout of contentscorresponding to the content names “MINAMI-NOSAKABA”, “KITA-NO-HAKABA”and “SHICHINARABE”, respectively, and displays the content names“MINAMI-NO-SAKABA”, “KITA-NO-HAKABA” and “SHICHINARABE” in the field481, as shown in FIG. 30.

[0288] Corresponding to the content name “OHSHOH”, a “∘” positioned onthe leftmost of the field 481 indicates that the content correspondingto the content name “OHSHOH” can check in to the personal computer 1-1.That is, the content corresponding to the content name “OHSHOH” is onethat has been checked out from the personal computer 1-1.

[0289] Corresponding to the content name “FU”, a “×” positioned on theleftmost of the field 481 indicates that the content corresponding tothe content name “FU” cannot check in to the personal computer 1-1. Thatis, the content corresponding to the content name “FU” is not one thathas been checked out from the personal computer 1-1, but instead, e.g.,one that has been checked out from the personal computer 1-2.

[0290] Corresponding to the content name “KAKU”, a “×” positioned on theleftmost of the field 481 indicates that the content corresponding tothe content name “KAKU” cannot check in to the personal computer 1-1.That is, the content corresponding to the content name “KAKU” is not onethat has been checked out from the personal computer 1-1, but instead,e.g., one that has been checked out from the personal computer 1-2.

[0291] Corresponding to the content name “HISHA”, a “∘” positioned onthe leftmost of the field 481 indicates that the content correspondingto the content name “HISHA” can check in to the personal computer 1-1.That is, the content corresponding to the content name “HISHA” is onethat has been checked out from the personal computer 1-1.

[0292] As the content corresponding to the content name“MINAMI-NO-SAKABA”, the content corresponding to the content name“KITA-NO-HAKABA” and the content corresponding to the content name“SHICHINARABE” are ones that have been checked out from the personalcomputer 1-1, a “∘” is displayed on the leftmost of the field 481,corresponding to each of the content name “MINAMI-NO-SAKABA”, thecontent name “KITA-NO-HAKABA” and the content name “SHICHINARABE”.

[0293] At this time, the display/operation instruction program 112changes a number of possible checkouts for the content name“MINAMI-NO-SAKABA” in the field 352 from three one-eighth notesindicating three checkouts to two one-eighth notes indicating twocheckouts, a number of possible checkouts for the content name“KITANO-HAKABA” also in the field 352 from two one-eighth notesindicating two checkouts to a one-eighth note indicating one checkout,and a number of possible checkouts for the content name “SHICHINARABE”also in the field 352 from three one-eighth notes indicating threecheckouts to two one-eighth notes indicating two checkouts.

[0294] For example, when in the status shown in FIG. 30, the contentname “KITANO-HAKABA” is selected in the field 481 and the button 492 isclicked, the display/operation instruction program 112 will set check-inof the content corresponding to the content name “KITA-NO-HAKABA” anderase this content name in the field 481 as shown in FIG. 31.

[0295] At this time, the display/operation instruction program 112 willchange the number of possible checkouts for the content name“KITA-NO-HAKABA” displayed in the field 352 from a one-eighth noteindicating one checkout to two one-eighth notes indicating twocheckouts.

[0296] Also, by dragging and dropping a package name displayed in thefield 351 to the field 481, checkout of all contents belonging to apackage corresponding to the dragged and dropped package name is set.

[0297] With setting of check-in or checkout only by operating thebuttons 491 to 494, the personal computer 1 will not execute anycheck-in or checkout.

[0298] When the button 484 is clicked after check-in or checkout is setby operating the buttons 491 to 494, the display/operation instructionprogram will have the content management program 111 execute thecheck-in or checkout. That is, with the button 484 clicked, thedisplay/operation instruction program 112 will have the contentmanagement program 111 send either a content to any of the portablebatteries 6-1 to 6-3 or a predetermined command corresponding tocheck-in (for example, a command for erasing a predetermined contentstored in any of the portable devices 6-1 to 6-3), based on the check-inor checkout setting, and erase usage rule data stored in the usage rulefile 162 corresponding to the sent content or command.

[0299] When check-in or checkout is done, the display/operationinstruction program 112 updates a history data stored in the historydata file correspondingly to the sent content or command. The historydata includes information for identification of the checked-in orchecked-out content or data at which the content has been checked in orout, and the name of any of the portable devices 6-1 to 6-3 to which thecontent has been checked out.

[0300] Since check-in or checkout can be set in a short time, the usercan quickly know the status after execution of check-in or checkout.Thus, the number of check-in's or checkouts which takes time can bereduced to shorten the entire time necessary for check-in or checkout(including the time for setting and execution of check-in or checkout).

[0301] Next, edition of My Select package such as addition of a desiredcontent o a predetermined My Select package will be described.

[0302] As shown in FIG. 32, when the button 344 for displaying a fieldin which a My Select package is edited is clicked, the display/operationinstruction program 112 displays, in the display/operation instructionwindow, a field 501 in which a content name corresponding to a contentbelonging to a predetermined My Select package is to be indicated.

[0303] At this time, the display/operation instruction program 112displays, in the display/operation instruction window, a field 502 inwhich the name of a selected My Select package (stored in any of thepackage display data 251-1 to 251-S) is to be displayed. When the nameof a My Select Package to be edited is set in the field 502, thedisplay/operation instruction program 112 displays, in the field 501, acontent name corresponding to the My Select package having the packagename (stored in a content display data 221 related with any of thepackage display data 252-1 to 252-S).

[0304] Further, when the display/operation instruction program 112displays the field 501 in the display/operation instruction window, itwill display, in the display/operation instruction window, a button 521for an operation to have a content corresponding to a content nameselected in the field 352 also belong to a My Select package whose nameis displayed in the field 502 (to store a content ID of the selectedcontent display data 221 into any of the package display data 251-1 to251-S), a button 522 for an operation to erase the content correspondingto the content name selected in the field 501 from the My Select packagewhose name is displayed in the field 502 (to erase the content ID of theselected content display data 221 from any of the package display data251-1 to 251-S), and a button 523 for an operation to cancel anpreceding operation (to have the content also belong to the My SelectPackage or erase the content from the My Select package).

[0305] For example, by displaying the field 501 in the display/operationinstruction window, the user can have, belong to the My Select packagewhose package name “My Best 1” is displayed in the field 502, a contentnamed “North Star”, content named “Shooting Star”, content named“South-Alps”, content named “Multimillionaire” and a content named “Slot1”.

[0306] That is to say, in response to a predetermined operation, thedisplay/operation instruction program 112 stores into the packagedisplay data 251 in which the package name “My Best 1” is stored the IDsfor the content named “North Star”, content named “Shooting Star”,content named “South-Alps”, content “Multimillionaire”, and the contentnamed “Slot 1”, respectively.

[0307] Also, when the package name displayed in the field 351 is draggedand dropped to the field 501, all contents belonging to a packagecorresponding to the dragged and dropped package can be made to belongto the My Select package whose name is displayed in the field 502.

[0308] When the button 346 disposed in the display/operation instructionwindow to display, in the field 351, data corresponding to a My Selectpackage is activated, the display/operation instruction program 112 willdisplay, in the field 351, package names corresponding to the My Selectpackage (e.g., “My Best 1”, “My Best 2”, “Snow Drive”,“MINAMI-NO-SHIMA-Select”, “Traveling Abroad”, etc.), and in the field352 names of contents belonging to a My Select package corresponding toa selected package name, as shown in FIG. 33.

[0309] When the name of a predetermined content displayed in the field352 is selected and the erasing operation is made while datacorresponding to a My Select package has been displayed in the field 351with the button 346 activated, the display/operation instruction program112 will erase only data of a content ID corresponding to a contentbelonging to the package included in the package display data 251 butnot any predetermined content stored in the contend data base 114.

[0310] Next, display corresponding to a filtering package, and relatingthe filtering package with a desired content will be described:

[0311] When the button 347 disposed in the display/operation instructionwindow to display, in the field 351, data corresponding to a filteringpackage is activated, the display/operation instruction program 112displays, in the field 351, package names corresponding to the filteringpackage (e.g., “Ten best pops”, “Ten Best rock ‘n’ roll's”, “Ten bestENKA's”, “Standard love songs”, “Recommendable '80 pops”, etc.), and, inthe field 352, names of contents belonging to the filtering packagecorresponding to the selected package name, as shown in FIG. 34.

[0312] Referring now to FIG. 35, there is explained the generation of afiltering package. The display/operation instruction program 112generates package display data 291-1 based on the content display data221-1-1 to 221-M-p stored in the display data file 182 and history datastored in the history data file 184 or any of them and filtering data551-1 stored in the filtering data filter 181.

[0313] The package display data 291-1 has stored therein ID for acontent belonging to a filtering package corresponding to thereto.

[0314] For example, the package display data 291-1 stores IDs forpredetermined 10 contents (e.g., ones corresponding to ten best pops)designated with the filtering data 551-1.

[0315] The display/operation instruction program 112 generates packagedisplay data 291-2 based on the content display data 221-1-1 to 221-M-pstored in the display data file 182 and history data stored in thehistory data file 184 or any of them and filtering data 551-1-2 storedin the filtering data filter 181.

[0316] The package display data 291-2 has stored therein ID for acontent belonging to a filtering package corresponding to thereto.

[0317] For example, the package display data 291-2 stores IDs forcontents whose names contain a predetermined string of characters (e.g.,names of contents including characters “love”) designated with thefiltering data 551-2.

[0318] Similarly, the display/operation instruction program 112generates package display data 291-3 to 291-A. Each of the packagedisplay data 291-3 to 291-A has stored therein ID for a contentbelonging to a filtering package corresponding thereto.

[0319] For example, the package display data 291-3 stores IDs for 10contents selected based on the history data stored in the history datafile 184 and which have been checked out most frequency for the lastweek.

[0320] Also the package display data 291-4, for example, stores IDs for10 contents selected at random and whose total of play times counts 60minutes.

[0321] In this way, the display/operation instruction program 112generates package display data 291-2 based on the content display data221-1-1 to 221-M-p stored in the display data file 182 and history datastored in the history data file 184 or any of them and filtering data551-1-1 to 551-1-A stored in the filter data file 181.

[0322] The filtering data 551-1 to 551-A are down-loaded from apredetermine server via the network 2, or supplied as recorded in apredetermined CD from the drive 22. Also, the user himself can generatethe filtering data 551-1 to 551-A.

[0323] For example, operating the personal computer 1 to generate a newfiltering package by down-loading and updating the filtering data 551-1to 551-A from more than one server via the network 2 at a predeterminedtime every day without modification of contents recorded in the contentdata base 114, the user can use the new generated filtering package forenjoying different combinations of contents.

[0324] Next, an image displayed in the field 348 will be describedbelow. As shown in FIG. 36, when a package name displayed in the field351 is selected while a content name displayed in the field 352 has notbeen selected (therefore, no content has not been played back), thedisplay/operation instruction program 112 displays, in the field 348, animage related with a package corresponding to the selected package name.

[0325] That is, referring to data indicating the image file name storedin the package display data 211, 251 or 291, the display/operationinstruction program 112 selects any one of the image files 183-1 to183-K, reads image data stored in the selected one of the image files183-1 to 183-K, and displays, in the field 348, an image correspondingto the image data.

[0326] For example, when the package name “Second” of the originalpackage is selected while the content name displayed in the field 352 isnot selected, he display/operation instruction program 112 refers todata indicating an image file name stored in the package display data211, reads image data stored in a predetermined one of the image files183-1 to 183-K, and displays, in the field 348, an image correspondingto the image data.

[0327] Also, when a predetermined image is dragged and dropped to thefield 348 with the package name displayed in the field 351 beingselected and the content name displayed in the field 352 being notselected, the display/operation instruction program 112 makes thedragged and dropped image correspond to a package corresponding to theselected package name.

[0328] That is, the display/operation instruction program 112 convertsthe coding method by which the dragged and dropped image has been codedto a predetermined method (e.g., JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group)or the like), adjusts the size of the image (e.g., to 30 pixels by 30pixels or the like), subtracts the colors (e.g., 256 colors or thelike), records the image into the image file 183, and records the nameof the image file 183 in which the image has been recorded as dataindicating any image file name in the package display data 211, 251 or291 corresponding to the package name.

[0329] As shown in FIG. 37, when the content name displayed in the field352 is selected while no content has been played back, thedisplay/operation instruction program 112 displays, in the field 348, animage related with a content corresponding to the selected content name.That is to say, the display/operation instruction program 112 refers todata indicating an image file name stored in the content display data221 corresponding to the content corresponding to the selected contentname, reads image data stored in a predetermined one of the image files183-1 to 183-K, and displays, in the filed 348, an image correspondingto the image data.

[0330] For example, when the package name “Second” of the originalpackage is selected and the content name “South-Alps” displayed in thefield 352 is selected while the content “South-Alps” has not been playedback, the display/operation instruction program 112 refers to acorresponding image file stored in the content display data 221corresponding to a content corresponding to the content name“South-Alps”, reads image data stored in a predetermine one of the imagefiles 183-1 to 183-K, and displays, in the field 348, an imagecorresponding to the image data.

[0331] At this time, when the button 345 is activated while dataindicating an image file name is not set in the content display data 221corresponding to a content corresponding to a selected content name, thedisplay/operation instruction program 112 refers to data indicating animage file name stored in the content display data 221 to which thecontent belongs, reads image data stored in a predetermine one of theimage files 183-1 to 183-K, and displays, in the field 348, an imagecorresponding to the image data.

[0332] Similarly, when the button 346 is activated while nocorresponding image file is set in the content display image 221corresponding to a content corresponding to a selected content name, thedisplay/operation instruction program 112 refers to data indicating animage file name stored in the package display data 251 to which thecontent belongs, reads image data stored in a predetermine one of theimage files 183-1 to 183-K, and displays, in the field 348, an imagecorresponding to the image data.

[0333] Similarly, when the button 347 is activated while nocorresponding image file is set in the content display data 221corresponding to a content corresponding to a selected content name, thedisplay/operation instruction program 112 refers to data indicating animage file name stored in the package display data 291 to which thecontent belongs, reads image data stored in a predetermine one of theimage files 183-1 to 183-K, and displays, in the field 348, an imagecorresponding to the image data.

[0334] Also, when a predetermined image is dragged and dropped to thefield 348 while the content name displayed in the field 352 is selected,the display/operation instruction program 112 relates the dragged anddropped image with a content corresponding to the selected content name.Namely, the display/operation instruction program 112 converts thecoding method by which the dragged and dropped image has been coded to apredetermined one, adjusts the size of the image, subtracts the colors,records the image into the image file 183, and records the d name of therecorded image file 183 in which the image has been stored as dataindicating any image file name in the package display data 221corresponding to the content name.

[0335] As shown in FIG. 38, when a content corresponding to a contentname displayed in the field 352 has been played back (when a sound hasbeen outputted from the speaker 24), the display/operation instructionprogram 112 displays, in the field 348, an image indicating a signallevel in each frequency band (e.g., in each octave) of the output sound(that is a so-called image on a spectrum analyzer).

[0336] Also as shown in FIG. 39, when a content corresponding to acontent name displayed in the field 352 has been played back accordingto a user's setting, the display/operation instruction program 112displays, in the field 348, an image indicating a signal levelcorresponding to the time lapse of the output sound during apredetermined period.

[0337] Also, when the display/operation instruction program 112 does notdisplay the fields 351 and 352 according to a user's setting, thedisplay/operation instruction program 112 will display, in the field348, an image indicating a signal level in each frequency band of theoutput sound when a content has been played back, and an imagecorresponding to a selected package or content when no content has beenplayed back, as shown in FIGS. 40 and 41.

[0338] Next, how contents are combined will be described. The contentmanagement program 111 combines contents when the contents belong to thesame original package, the number of possible checkouts for them isequal to the maximum number of possible checkouts, that is, the maximumnumber of possible checkouts for one of the contents is equal to thatfor the other and no playback time limit is set for them.

[0339] As shown in FIG. 42, in case the display of the original packagehas been selected, if names corresponding to two or more content namesdisplayed in the field 352, such as “Heat” and “Sonic, are selected,namely, if contents belonging to the same original package are selected,and the combine command is selected from the edit menu, the contentmanagement program 111 combines the contents corresponding to “Heat” and“Sonic”, respectively, together to generate a new content, stores itinto a new content file 161, and records the content file 161 into thecontent data base 114.

[0340] The content management program 111 generates a usage rule file162 for the content generated by the above content combination andstored in the new content file 161, and records the usage rule file 162into the content data base 114.

[0341] A name for the content generated by the above content combinationis generated from the names of the contents having been combined as inthe above. For example, the display/operation instruction program 112will give a name “Heat +Sonic” to the content generated by combining thecontents corresponding to the names “Heat” and “Sonic”, respectively, asshown in FIG. 43.

[0342] Note that the content management program 111 will not combine anycontents which are selected from the My Select package or filteringpackage. That is, the combine command cannot be selected from the menuin the window displayed by the display/operation instruction program112.

[0343] Next, how a content is divided will be described. The contentmanagement program 111 divides a content whose number of possiblecheckouts is equal to a maximum number of possible checkouts, that is,which has not yet been checked out and for which no playback time limithas been set.

[0344] As shown in FIG. 44, in case the display of the original packagehas been selected, if the combine command is selected from the edit menuwhile a predetermined content, such as a content having a name“Butterfly” is being played back, the content management program 111divides a content corresponding to “Butterfly” at a position thereofbeing played back to generate two contents, stores them into a newcontent file 161, and records the content file 161 into the content database 114.

[0345] The content management program 111 generates a usage rule file162 for the contents generated by the above content division and storedin the new content file 161, and records the usage rule file 162 intothe content data base 114.

[0346] Names for the contents generated by the above content divisionare generated from the name of the content having been divided as in theabove. For example, the display/operation instruction program 112 givesnames “Butterfly (1)” and “Butterfly (2)” to the contents, respectively,generated by dividing the content corresponding to the name “Butterfly”as shown in FIG. 45.

[0347] Note that the content management program 111 will not divide anycontent which is selected from the My Select package or filteringpackage. That is, the combine command cannot be selected from the menuin the window displayed by the display/operation instruction program112.

[0348] Next, operations for a registration, effected when thedisplay/operation instruction program 112 is initially started with thecontent management program 111 and display/operation instruction program112 installed in the personal computer 1, will be described withreference to the flow chart shown in FIG. 46:

[0349] At step S11, the display/operation instruction program 112installed in the personal computer 1 refers to predetermined URL and thelike network 2 and connects to the EMD registration server 3.

[0350] At step S12, the display/operation instruction program 112 sends,to the EMD registration server3, the ID of the content managementprogram 111, previously stored in the content management program 111,along with necessary data for the registration (such as the name of auser of the personal computer 1 and credit No.). Note that at step S12,the display/operation instruction program 112 may send, to the EMDregistration server 3, the ID of the display/operation instructionprogram 112, previously stored in the display/operation instructionprogram 112, along with the necessary data for the registration.

[0351] At step S13, the EMD registration server 3 receives the contentmanagement program 111. At step S14, the EMD registration server 3judges whether the ID of the content management program 111 is valid.When the ID of the content management program 111 is determined to bevalid, the operation goes to step S15 where the EMD registration server3 will register the user of the personal computer 1 based on the name ofthe user and credit No., and sends a predetermined number ofauthenticate keys (for use for mutual authentication with the EMDservers 4-1 to 4-3, for example) to the personal computer 1.

[0352] At step S16, the display/operation instruction program 112receives the predetermined number of authenticate keys sent from the EMDregistration server 3. At step S17, the EMD registration server 3 sendsthe EMD selection program 131 to the personal computer 1. At step S18,the display/operation instruction program 112 receives the EMD selectionprogram 131 sent from the EMD registration server 3.

[0353] At step S19, the display/operation instruction program 112supplies the received EMD selection program 131 to the contentmanagement program 111. At step S20, the content management program 111starts the EMD selection program 131. Thus, the procedure for theregistration is complete.

[0354] If at step S14, the ID of the content management program 111 isdetermined to be invalid, the operation goes to step S21 where the EMDregistration server 3 will send a predetermined error message to thepersonal computer 1 without effecting any registration. At step S22, thedisplay/operation instruction program 112 receives the error messagesent from the EMD registration server 3.

[0355] At step S23, the display/operation instruction program 112displays the received error message. Thus, the procedure for theregistration is complete.

[0356] When the display/operation instruction program 112 is started,the personal computer 1 acquires the authenticate keys used for themutual authentication with the EMD servers 4-1 to 4-3 and the EMDselection program 131, for example.

[0357] Next, recording from a CD according to the recording program 113will be described with reference to the flow chart in FIG. 47. At stepS41, the recording program 113 puts the drive 22 into action, reads datacorresponding to a content recorded in the CD set in the drive 22(number of contents or play time), and displays a contents list recordedin the CD in a predetermined window.

[0358] At step S42, the recording program 113 judges whether the button348 for acquisition of information corresponding to the CD has beenclicked. When it is determined that the button 384 has been clicked, theoperation goes to step S43 where the recording program 113 will acquirethe information corresponding to the CD. The acquisition of theinformation corresponding to the CD will further be described later withreference to the flow chart in FIG. 48.

[0359] At step S44, the recording program 113 displays, in apredetermined window, the information corresponding to the CD, havingbeen acquired by the operation at step S43.

[0360] If at step S42, it is determined that the button 384 foracquisition of information corresponding to a CD has been clicked, it isnot necessary to acquire the information corresponding to the CD, so theoperation slips over steps S43 and S44 and goes to step S45.

[0361] At step S45, the recording program 113 judges whether the button386 for instruction to start recording of a content recorded in the CDhas been clicked. If it is determined that the button 386 has not beenclicked, the operation goes back to step S45 where it will be repeatedlyjudged whether the button 386 has been clicked, until it is determinedthat the button 386 has been clicked.

[0362] When it is determined, at step S45, that the button 386 has beenclicked, the operation goes to step S46 where the recording program 113will acquire, based on a check set correspondingly to a content name inthe field 383, content selection information indicating which ofcontents recorded in the CD is to be recorded. At step S47, therecording program 113 reads a selected content from the CD based on thecontent selection information.

[0363] At step S48, the recording program 113 has the compression methodconversion program 134 in the content management program 111 compressthe content read from the CD by a predetermined conversion method suchas ATRAC3, for example. At step S49, the recording program 113 has theencryption method conversion program 135 in the content managementprogram 111 encrypt the compressed content by a predetermined encryptionmethod such as DES, for example.

[0364] At step S50, the recording program 113 has the content data base114 store the compressed and encrypted content. At step S51, therecording program 113 generates usage rule data corresponding to thecontent stored in the content data base 114, and has the content database 114 store the generated usage rule data into the usage rule file162 (related with the content stored in the content data base 114). Atstep S52, the recording program 113 updates the display data file 182based on the generated usage rule data or information corresponding tothe CD.

[0365] At step S53, the recording program 113 judges whether the button385 for setting checkout, or no checkout, of the content read from theCD to any of the portable devices 6-1 to 6-3 (automatic checkout) isactivated. When it is determined that the button 385 is active, theoperation goes to step S54 where the display/operation instructionprogram 112 is started.

[0366] At step S55, the recording program 113 has the display/operationinstruction program 112 check out the content stored in the content database 114 to any of the portable devices 6-1 to 6-3. Thus, the procedureis complete.

[0367] If it is determined, at step S53, that the button 385 is notactive, it is not necessary to check out the content, the operation iscomplete with a skip over steps S54 and S55.

[0368] When the recording from the CD is effected with the button 385being active, the personal computer 1 will store the content read fromthe CD into the content data base 114 and automatically check it out toany of the portable devices 6-1 to 6-3.

[0369] Similarly, when the display/operation instruction program 112receives a content from any of the EMD servers 4-1 to 4-3 while check ismade with the check button 334, it will store the received content intothe content data base 114 and have the content management program 111check out the content to any of the portable devices 6-1 to 6-3.

[0370] Next, acquisition of information corresponding to a CD, effectedunder the recording program 113 and at step S43 in FIG. 47, will bedescribed with reference to the flow chart in FIG. 48:

[0371] At step S71, the recording program 113 searches informationrecorded in a predetermined directory (e.g., directory in the HDD 21,designated in the field 404 in the dialog box 461).

[0372] At step S72, the recording program 113 judges, based on datacorresponding to a content recorded in a CD set in the drive 22 (e.g.,number of contents or play time), whether information corresponding tothe CD is recorded in the predetermined directory. If it is determinedthat the information corresponding to the CD is not recorded in thepredetermined directory, the operation goes to step S73 where it isjudged, based on a character string set in the field 401, whether CDNEWhas been selected.

[0373] When it is determined, at step S73, that CDNEW has been selected,the operation goes to step S74 where the recording program 113 willconnect to a server corresponding to CDNEW (e.g., WWW server 5-2) viathe network 2. At step S75, the recording program 113 has the displayunit 20 display a screen for input of a search keyword (e.g., dialog boxshown in FIG. 22). At step S76, the recording program 113 sends, to aserver corresponding to CDNEW, a search keyword inputted based on thescreen such as album name, artist name, content name, product No. or thelike.

[0374] At step S77, the recording program 113 receives informationcorresponding to the CD from a server corresponding to CDNEW.

[0375] At step S78, the recording program 113 relates the informationcorresponding to the CD with the content, and terminates the procedure.

[0376] If it is determined, at step S73, that CDNEW has not beenselected, the operation goes to step S79 since CDDB has been selected.At step S79, the recording program 113 will connect to a servercorresponding to CDDB (e.g., WWW server 5-1) via the network 2 based onURL of the first site of CDDB set in the field 402 and URL of the secondsite of CDDB set in the field 403. At step S80, the recording program113 sends, to a server corresponding to CDDB, data corresponding to aplay time of a content recorded in the CD.

[0377] At step S81, the recording program 113 receives informationcorresponding to the CD from the server corresponding to CDDB.

[0378] At step S82, the recording program 113 judges whether datacorresponding to the CD, received from the server corresponding to CDDB,include more than two candidates. When it is determined that there areavailable more than two candidates, the operation goes to step S83 wherea dialog box will be displayed for allowing the user to select use or nouse of information corresponding to any CD.

[0379] At step S84, the recording program 113 selects any one of thecandidates based on an input to the dialog box, and the operation goesto step S78 where the recording program 113 will relate informationcorresponding to the CD with the content. Thus the procedure iscomplete.

[0380] If it is determined, at step S82, that there are not availablemore than two candidates, the operation goes to step S78 where therecording program 113 will relate the information corresponding to theCD, having been received from the server corresponding to CDDB, and thusthe procedure is complete.

[0381] When it is determined, at step S72, that the informationcorresponding to the CD is recorded in the predetermined directory, theoperation goes to step S85 where the recording program 113 will read therecorded information corresponding to the CD, and goes to step S78 whereit will relate the read information corresponding to the CD with thecontent, and thus the procedure is complete.

[0382] As in the above, the recording program 113 acquires informationcorresponding to the CD from any of two or ore servers different insearching procedure from each other. Also, when informationcorresponding to the CD has been acquired and recorded, the recordingprogram 113 will use the recorded information.

[0383] Next, how to record data to the display data file 182 under thedisplay/operation instruction program 112 will be described withreference to the flow chart shown in FIG. 49. As shown, at step S91, thedisplay/operation instruction display program 112 generates a record inthe main table in the display data file 182.

[0384] At step S92, the display/operation instruction program 112 readsthe type of data to be recorded into the display data file 182. At stepS93, the display/operation instruction program 112 judges whether or notthe type of the data read at step S92 is that of data to be recorded tothe main table in the display data file 182. If the display/operationinstruction program 112 determines that the type of the read data is thetype of the data to be recorded to the main table, it goes to step S94where it will record the data to an item corresponding to the type ofthe data recorded in the main table generated at step S91. Then thedisplay/operation instruction program 112 will go to step S95.

[0385] At step S95, the display/operation instruction program 112 judgeswhether all data have been recorded. If the display/operationinstruction program 112 determines that all the data have not yet beenrecorded, it returns to step S91 and repeats the data recording.

[0386] If the display/operation instruction program 112 determines atstep S95 that all the data have been recorded, it ends the operation.

[0387] If the display/operation instruction program 112 determines atstep S93 that the type of the read data is not the type of the data tobe recorded to the main table, it goes to step S96 where it willgenerate a record in a sub table in the display data file 182. At stepS97, the display/operation instruction program 112 records the type ofdata to an item of the record generated in the sub table at step S96. Atstep S98, the display/operation instruction program 112 records the datato the item of the record generated in the sub table at step S96, andgoes to step S95 where it will judge whether all data have beenrecorded.

[0388] As in the above, the display/operation instruction program 112can record data of a predetermined type in the main table in the displaydata file 182, and record, in the display data file 182, the type ofdata and data of other type than that of data recorded in the maintable.

[0389] Next, data read from the display data file 182 by thedisplay/operation instruction program 112 will be described withreference to the flow chart shown in FIG. 50. At step S101, thedisplay/operation instruction program 112 acquires a content ID orpackage ID corresponding to a content to be read. At step S102, thedisplay/operation instruction program 112 acquires the type of the datato be read.

[0390] At step S103, the display/operation instruction program 112judges whether the type of the data acquired at step S102 and which isto be read is that of the data to be recorded to the main table in thedisplay data file 182. If the display/operation instruction program 112determines that the type of the data to be read is that of the data tobe recorded to the main table, it goes to step S104 where it will read arecord corresponding to a content ID or package ID from the main tablein the display data file 182. At step S105, the display/operationinstruction program 112 reads, from the record read at step S104, datacorresponding to the type of data recorded as a predetermined item andwhich is to be read, and ends the operation.

[0391] If it is determined, at step S103, that the type of the data tobe read is not that of the data to be recorded to the main table, thedata to be read is recorded in the sub table and so thedisplay/operation instruction program 112 goes to step S106 where itwill read a record corresponding to a content ID or package ID from thesub table in the display data file 182. At step S107, thedisplay/operation instruction program 112 judges whether the type of thedata stored in an item of the record read at step S106 is that of thedata to be read. If it is determined that the type of the data stored inthe item of the read record is not that of the data to be read, thedisplay/operation instruction program 112 returns to step S106 andrepeats the read of a record from the sub table.

[0392] If it is determined, at step S107, that the type of the datastored in the item of the read record is that of the data to be read,the display/operation instruction program 112 goes to step S108 where itwill read the data from the record and ends the operation.

[0393] As in the above, the display/operation instruction program 112can read a predetermined type of data from the display data file 182.

[0394] Next, generation of a filter package, performed by thedisplay/operation instruction program 112 when the button 437 isclicked, will be described with reference to the flow chart in FIG. 51.At step S111, the display/operation instruction program 112 selects afirst filtering data 551, for example, the filtering data 551-1, storedin the filtering data file 181.

[0395] At step S112, the display/operation instruction program 112computes a weight for the content based on data stored in the displaydata file 182 and history data stored in the history data file 184 orany of them and the selected filtering data 551.

[0396] At step S113, the display/operation instruction program 112selects a content belonging to a filtering package corresponding to theselected filtering data 551 based on the weight for the content,computed at step S112.

[0397] At step S114, the display/operation instruction program 112registers the content having been selected at step S113 into a filteringpackage corresponding to the selected filtering data 551. That is tosay, the display/operation instruction program 112 stores an ID for theselected content into the package display data 291 corresponding to thefiltering package corresponding to the selected filtering data 551.

[0398] At step S115, the display/operation instruction program 112judges whether the content has been registered in the filtering packagecorresponding to all the filter data 551 stored in the filtering datafile 181. If it is determined that the content has not been registeredin the filtering package corresponding to all the filtering data 551,the operation goes to step S116 where a next filtering data 551 storedin the filtering data file 181 is selected, and then goes back to stepS112 where the content registration will be repeated.

[0399] If at step S115 it is determined that the content has beenregistered in the filtering package corresponding to all the filteringdata 551, the procedure is complete.

[0400] As in the above, the display/operation instruction program 112will select a content based on data stored in the display data tile 182and history data stored in the history data file 184 or any of them andthe selected filtering data 551, and register the selected content intothe filtering package.

[0401] Next, content checkout or check-in effected by thedisplay/operation instruction program 112 and content management program111 when the field 481 is displayed in the display/operation instructionwindow, for example, will be described with reference to the flow chartin FIG. 52:

[0402] At step S121, the display/operation instruction program 112 readsa number of possible checkouts corresponding to the content from thedisplay data file 182. At step S122, the display/operation instructionprogram 112 displays the number of possible checkouts having been readat step S121.

[0403] At step S123, the display/operation instruction program 112judges whether the checkout setting button 491 or check-in settingbutton 492 has been clicked. When it is determined that the button 491or 492 has been clicked, the operation goes to step S124 where checkoutof a content corresponding to a content name selected in the field 352or check-in of a content corresponding to a content name selected in thefield 481 will be set.

[0404] At step S125, the display/operation instruction program 112updates the number of possible checkouts in the content display data 221in the display data file 182 correspondingly to the setting of checkoutof the content corresponding to the content name selected in the field352 or to the setting of check-in of the content corresponding to thecontent name selected in the field 481, having been effected at stepS124, and returns to step S121 where the same procedure will berepeated.

[0405] If it is determined, at step S123, that neither the checkoutsetting button 491 nor check-in setting button 492 has bee clicked, theoperation goes to step S126 where the display/operation instructionprogram 112 will judge whether the button 484 for effecting the check-inor checkout has been clicked.

[0406] When it is determined at step S126 that the button 484 has beenclicked, the operation goes to step S127 where the display/operationinstruction program 112 will have the check-in/checkout managementprogram 132 in the content management program 111 effect the checkout orcheck-in correspondingly to the setting of content checkout or check-in.The check-in/checkout management program 132 judges, based on the usagerule data stored in the usage rule file 162, whether each content can bechecked out or in. When the program 132 determines that such a contentcheckout or check-in is possible, it will effect it.

[0407] When it is determined that the checkout or check-in is notpossible, the check-in/checkout management program 132 will not effectit.

[0408] At step S128, the display/operation instruction program 112 hasthe check-in/checkout management program 132 in the content managementprogram 111 update the number of possible checkouts for the usage ruledata stored in the usage rule file 162 in the content data base 114(corresponding to a checked-out or checked-in content) correspondinglyto the execution of the content checkout or check-in.

[0409] At step S129, the display/operation instruction program 112 hasthe check-in/checkout management program 132 reads the number ofpossible checkouts from the usage rule data stored in the usage rulefile 162, corresponding to the checked-out or checked-in content.

[0410] At step S130, the display/operation instruction program 112updates the number of possible checkouts stored in the history data file184, and updates the content display data 221 in the display data file182 based on the number of possible checkouts having been read at stepS129. Then it goes back to step S121 where the same procedure will berepeated.

[0411] When it is determined, at step S126, that the button 484 has notbeen clicked, no checkout or check-in will be done. So the operationgoes back to step S121 where the same procedure will be repeated.

[0412] As in the above, the display/operation instruction program 112will change the display correspondingly to the setting of checkout orcheck-in, and have the content management program 111 execute checkoutor check-in based on the setting of checkout or check-in.

[0413] Next, image paste, effected by the display/operation instructionprogram 112 when a predetermined image has been dragged and dropped tothe field 348, will be described with reference to the flow chart inFIG. 53. At step S151, the display/operation instruction program 112judges whether a package has been selected. When it is determined that apackage has been selected, the operation goes to step S152 where thedragged and dropped image will be changed to a predetermined size, andsubjected to a coding method conversion and color subtraction.

[0414] At step S153, the display/operation instruction program 112stores the image subject to the coding method conversion and colorsubtraction at step S152 into the image file 183.

[0415] At step S154, the display/operation instruction program 112judges whether a content has been selected. When it is determined thatno content has been selected, the operation goes to step S155 where theimage file 183 and selected package will be related with each other(that is, the name of the image file 183 in which the content isrecorded is recorded as data indicating an image file name in any of thepackage display data 211, 251 or 291 corresponding to the selectedpackage), and thus the procedure is complete.

[0416] If it is determined, at step S154, that a content has beenselected, the operation goes to step S156 where the display/operationinstruction program 112 will relate the image file 183 with the selectedcontent (that is, the name of the image file 183 in which the content isrecorded is recorded as data indicating an image file name in thecontent display data 221 corresponding to the selected content), andthus the procedure is complete.

[0417] If it is determined, at step S151, that no package has beenselected, there is no object with which the image is related, so theoperation goes to step S157 where the display/operation instructionprogram 112 will display a predetermined error message and thus theprocedure be complete.

[0418] As in the above, the display/operation instruction program 112can paste the dragged and dropped image on a package or content (imageand package or content are related with each other).

[0419] Next, image display effected by the display/operation instructionprogram 112 will be described with reference to the flow chart in FIG.54. At step S181, the display/operation instruction program 112 judgeswhether a content has been played back. If it is determined that nocontent has been played back, the operation goes to step S182 where itwill be judged whether a package has been selected.

[0420] If it is determined, at step S182, that no package has beenselected, the operation goes to step S183 where the display/operationinstruction program 112 will display, in the field 348, a predeterminedimage (e.g., an image showing the supplier of the display/operationinstruction program 112) and the operation will go back to step S181where the same procedure will be repeated.

[0421] When it is determined, at step S182, that a package has beenselected, the operation goes to step S184 where the display/operationinstruction program 112 will judge whether a content has been selected.

[0422] If it is determined, at step S184, that no content has beenselected, the operation goes to step S185 where the display/operationinstruction program 112 will display, in the field 348, an image relatedwith the selected package (the display/operation instruction program 112refers to data indicating an image file name stored in the packagedisplay data 211, reads image data stored in a predetermined one of theimage files 183-1 to 183-K, and displays, in the field 348, an imagecorresponding to the image data), and go back to step S181 where it willrepeat the same procedure.

[0423] If it is determined, at step S184, that a content has beenselected, the operation goes to step S186 where the display/operationinstruction program 112 will judge whether there is available an imagerelated with the selected content.

[0424] If it is determined, at step S186, that there is an image relatedwith the selected content, the operation goes to step S187 where thedisplay/operation instruction program 112 will display, in the field348, the image related with the selected content (the display/operationinstruction program 112 refers to data indicating an image file namestored in the content display data 221 corresponding to the selectedcontent, reads image data stored in a predetermined one of the imagefiles 183-1 to 183-K, and displays, in the field 348, an imagecorresponding to the image data), and go back to step S181 where it willrepeat the same procedure.

[0425] If it is determined, at step S186, that there is no image relatedwith the selected content, the operation goes to step S188 where thedisplay/operation instruction program 112 wil1 display, in the field348, an image related with the selected content. Then the operation goesback to step S181 where the same procedure will be repeated.

[0426] If it is determined, at step S181, that a content has been playedback, the operation goes to step S189 where the display/operationinstruction program 112 will judge whether display of a signal level ofa sound corresponding to each frequency band has been set. If it isdetermined that the display has been set, the operation goes to stepS190 where the signal level of a sound corresponding to each frequencyband will be displayed in the field 348. The operation goes back to stepS181 where the same procedure will be repeated.

[0427] If it is determined, at step S189, that display of a signal levelof a sound corresponding to each frequency band has not been set, theoperation goes to step S191 where the display/operation instructionprogram 112 will display, in the field 348, a waveform of an outputsound (signal level corresponding to a time lapse of the output sound),and go back to step S181 where it will repeat the same procedure.

[0428] As in the above, correspondingly to the selection of a package orcontent or the playback of a content, the display/operation instructionprogram 112 will display, in the field 348, any of an image related withthe package, image related with the content, signal level of a soundcorresponding to each frequency band and a waveform of the output sound.

[0429] Next, how to combine contents belonging to the same originalpackage by the content management program 111 will be described withreference to the flow chart shown in FIG. 55. At step S221, the contentmanagement program 111 reads a usage rule file 162 corresponding to afirst one of contents to be combined from the content data base 114. Atstep S222, the content management program 111 judges whether the numberof possible checkouts for the first content is equal to the maximumnumber of possible checkouts for the first content. If the number ofpossible checkouts is judge to be equal to the maximum number ofpossible checkouts, the content management program 111 goes to step S223where it will judge whether a playback time limit or number of times ofplayback is set for the first content.

[0430] If it is determined, at step S223, that no playback time limit ornumber of times of playback is set for the first content, the contentmanagement program 111 goes to step S224 where it will read a usage rulefile 162 for the second one of the contents to be combined from thecontent data base 114. At step S225, the content management program 111judges whether the number of possible checkouts for the second contentis equal to the maximum number of possible checkouts for the secondcontent. If it is determined that the number of possible checkouts isequal to the maximum number of possible checkouts, the contentmanagement program 111 goes to step S226 where it will judge whether aplayback time limit or number of times of playback is set for the secondcontent.

[0431] If it is determined, at step S226, that no playback time limit ornumber of times of playback is set for the second content, the contentmanagement program 111 goes to step S227 where it will judge whether themaximum number of possible checkouts for the first content is equal tothat for the second content. If it is determined that the maximum numberof possible checkouts for the first content is equal to that for thesecond content, the content management program 111 goes to step S228.

[0432] At step S228, the content management program 111 reads the firstand second contents from content files 161 of the content database 114,corresponding to the first and second contents, respectively, combinesthe contents together, and record the combination of the contents. Thatis, the content management program 111 generates a new content file 161in the content data base 114, and stores the content combination intothe content file 161.

[0433] At step S229, the display/operation instruction program 112generates a name for the content combination, and stores the contentname generated in the content data base 114 into the display data file182. At step S230, the content management program 111 allows the contentdata base 114 to update the usage rule file 162 so that the maximumnumber of possible checkouts and number of possible checkouts for thecombined contents is equal to those for the first content, and ends theoperation.

[0434] If it is determined, at step S222, that the number of possiblecheckouts for the first content is not equal to the maximum number ofpossible checkouts for the first content, the operation is ended sincethe first content cannot be combined. If it is determined, at step S223,that a playback time limit or number of times of playback is set for thefirst content, the operation is ended since the first content cannot becombined.

[0435] If it is determined, at step S225, that the number of possiblecheckouts for the second content is not equal to the maximum number ofcheckouts for the second content, the operation is ended since thesecond content cannot be combined. If it is determined, at step S226,that a playback time limit or number of times of playback is set, theoperation is ended since the second content cannot be combined.

[0436] If it is determined at step S227 that the maximum number ofpossible checkouts for the first content is not equal to that for thesecond content, the operation is ended since the first and secondcontents cannot be combined.

[0437] As in the above, the personal computer 1 can combine contentswhich belong to the same original package, which are equal in maximumnumber of possible checkouts to each other, which have not been checkedout, for which no playback time limit or number of times of playback areset, and which are recorded in the content data base 114. Since contentshaving not been checked out and for which no playback time limit ornumber of times of playback are set are combined together, a number ofpossible checkouts and playback time limit or number of times ofplayback for the contents will not be changed. Therefore, it is possibleto prevent illegal increase of a number of possible checkouts or illegalchange of a playback time limit or number of times of playback withoutany loss of the user's profit.

[0438] Note that it also suffices to judge whether a package to which apackage to which contents belong is from a CD, not to judge whether themaximum number of possible checkouts for one of the contents is equal tothat for the other content and whether a playback time limit or numberof times of playback is set for each of the contents. If it isdetermined that the package to which the contents belong is from a CD,the contents may be combined together. Also note that for a contentrecorded from a CD, the maximum number of possible checkouts isconstant, three for example and no playback time limit or number oftimes of playback is set.

[0439] Next, how to divide a content by the content management program111 will be described with reference to the flow chart shown in FIG. 56.At step S241, the content management program 111 gets a position atwhich a content is to be divided, for example, a position of a playeddata in the content at a time elapse from start of a play or at thecurrent time. At step S242, the content management program 111 reads ausage rule file 162 for a content to be divided from the content database 114.

[0440] At step S243, the content management program 111 judges whetherthe number of possible checkouts for the content is equal to the maximumnumber of possible checkouts fro the content. If it is determined thatthe number of possible times is equal to the maximum number of possiblecheckouts, the content management program 111 goes to step S244 where itwill judge whether a playback time limit or number of times of playbackis set for the content.

[0441] If it is determined, at step S244, that no playback time limit ornumber of times of playback is set for the content, the contentmanagement program 111 goes to step S245 where it will read the contentfrom a corresponding content file 161 of the content data base 114,divides the content at a position acquired at step S241 and records thedivided contents. That is, the content management program 111 generatesa new content file 161 in the content data base 114, and stores thedivided contents into the new content data file 161.

[0442] At step S246, the display/operation instruction program 112generates names for the divided contents. The display/operationinstruction program 112 stores the content names generated in thecontent data base 114 into the display data file 182. At step S247, thecontent management program 111 allows the content data base 114 toupdate the usage rule file 162 so that the maximum number of possiblecheckouts and number of possible checkouts for the divided contents areequal to those for the original content, and ends the operation.

[0443] If it is determined, at step S243, that the number of possiblecheckouts is not equal to the maximum number of possible checkouts, theoperation is ended since the content cannot be divided. If it isdetermined, at step S244, that a playback time limit or number of timesof playback is set for the content, the operation is ended since thecontent cannot be divided.

[0444] As in the above, the personal computer 1 can divided a contentwhich has not been checked out, for which no playback time limit ornumber of times of playback is set, and which is recorded in the contentdata base 114. Since a content having not been checked out and for whichno playback time limit or number of times of playback is set, a numberof possible checkouts and a playback time limit or number of times ofplayback for the content will not be changed. Therefore, it is possibleto prevent illegal increase of a number of possible checkouts or illegalchange of a playback time limit or number of times of playback withoutany loss of the user's profit.

[0445] Note that it also suffices to judge whether a package to which apackage to which a content to be divided belongs is a one from a CD andfor which no playback time limit or number of times of playback is set,not to judge whether a playback time limit or number of times ofplayback is set for the content, and then divide the content if it isdetermined that the package to which the content belongs is from a CD.

[0446] Next, how the personal computer 1 operates when the portabledevice 6-1 is connected to the USB port 23-1 will be described withreference to the flow chart shown in FIG. 57. At step S261, when astarter program 117 is informed from the operating system of thepersonal computer 1-1 of the connection of a device to the USB port23-1, it acquires a device ID for the device connected to the USB port23-1 from the driver 116-1.

[0447] At step S262, the starter program 117 judges whether the portabledevice 6-1 is connected. If it is determined that the portable device isnot connected, the starter program 117 returns to step S261 andrepeatedly judges whether the portable device 6-1 is connected until theportable device 6-1 is connected.

[0448] If it is determined, at step S262, that the portable device 6-1is connected, the starter program 117 goes to step S263 where it willjudge whether the display/operation instruction program 112 has beenstarted. If it is determined, at step S263, that the display/operationinstruction program 112 has not been started, the starter program 117goes to step S264 where it will start the display/operation instructionprogram 112 and go to step S265.

[0449] If it is determined, at step S263, that the display/operationinstruction program 112 has been started, it is not necessary to startthe display/operation instruction program 112 and so the starter program117 will skip over step S264 to step S265.

[0450] At step S265, the display/operation instruction program 112displays a predetermined dialog box to indicate that the portable device6-1 is connected.

[0451] At step S266, the display/operation instruction program 112 hasthe content management program 111 read a name corresponding to acontent stored in the portable device 6-1. At step S267, thedisplay/operation instruction program 112 displays a field 481 in awindow displayed thereby. At step S268, the display/operationinstruction program 112 displays a name corresponding to a contentstored in the portable device 6-1.

[0452] At step S269, the display/operation instruction program 112judges whether it has been set to automatically check out a content tothe portable device 6-1 when the latter is connected to thedisplay/operation instruction program 112. If it is determined that ithas been set to automatically check out a content to the portable device6-1 when the latter is connected, the display/operation instructionprogram 112 goes to step S270 where it will check in a content stored inthe portable device 6-1. Contents-which can thus be checked in arelimited to those having been checked out from the personal computer 1-1.

[0453] At step S271, the display/operation instruction program 112generates a filtering package based on preset filtering data 551 storedin the filtering data file 181. At step S272, the display/operationinstruction program 112 selects contents to be checked out from thegenerated filtering package, for example, the first ten packages.

[0454] At step S273, the display/operation instruction program 112checks out the selected contents to the portable device 6-1. At stepS274, the display/operation instruction program 112 updates the displayof the field 481 correspondingly to the checkout of the contents, andends the operation.

[0455] If it is determined, at step S269, that it has not been set toautomatically check out contents to the portable device 6-1 when thelatter is connected, the display/operation instruction program 112 skipsover steps 270 to 274 and ends the operation since no checkout operationis required.

[0456] As in the above, when the portable device 6-1 is connected, thepersonal computer 1-1 can run the display/operation instruction program112 to display names corresponding to contents stored in the portabledevice 6-1. Therefore, no operation is required to start thedisplay/operation instruction program 112 and the user can quickly checkout a desired content to the portable device 6-1.

[0457] If when the portable device 6-1 is connected, it has been set toautomatically check out a content when the portable device 6-1 isconnected to the display/operation instruction program 112, the personalcomputer 1-1 checks in contents stored in the portable device 6-1 whilechecking out a predetermined content.

[0458] Also, when the portable device 6-3 is connected to the personalcomputer 1-1, a similar operation to the above is effected and it willnot be described any more.

[0459] It has been described in the foregoing that the display/operationinstruction program 112 judges at step S269 whether it has been set toautomatically check out a content when the portable device 6-1 isconnected to the display/operation instruction program 112. Note howeverthat it may be set to automatically check out a content to the portabledevice 6-1 when the latter is connected and the display/operationinstruction program 112 may judge based on this setting whether it hasbeen set to automatically check out a content when the portable device6-1 is connected to the display/operation instruction program 112.

[0460] In this case, the portable device 6-1 stores at a predeterminedaddress in an internal memory thereof a flag indicative of whether acontent is automatically checked out. When the portable device 6-1 isconnected, the display/operation instruction program 112 reads the flagindicative of whether a content is automatically checked out and storedat the predetermined address in the internal memory of the portabledevice 6-1, and judge based on the flag whether it has been set toautomatically check out a content.

[0461] Further, in case the internal memory of the portable device 6-1is removable, a flag indicative of whether a content is automaticallychecked out may be stored at a predetermined address in the removablememory.

[0462] Also it has been described in the above that at step S271, thedisplay/operation instruction program 112 generates a filtering packagebased on the preset filtering data 551 stored in the filtering data file181. However, the portable device 6-1 may store the filtering data 551and the display/operation instruction program 112 may generate afiltering packaging based on the filtering data 551 stored in theportable device 6-1.

[0463] In this case, for example the portable device 6-1 stores thefiltering data 551 at a predetermined address in the internal memorythereof. When the portable device 6-1 is connected, thedisplay/operation instruction program 112 reads the filtering data 551stored at the predetermined address in the internal memory of theportable device 6-1 and generates a filtering package based on thefiltering data 551.

[0464] Further, in case the internal memory of the portable device 6-1is removable, the filtering data 551 may be stored at a predeterminedaddress of the removable memory.

[0465] Also, the display/operation instruction program 112 may select acontent at random, not based on the filtering data 551, and check outthe selected content to the content management program 111.

[0466] Note that according to a setting made by the user, thedisplay/operation instruction program 112 may display, in the field 348,an image indicating the level of a sound currently being outputted whena content has been played back.

[0467] Also, it should be noted that although it has previously beendescribed that the content compression method adopted by the personalcomputer 1 is ATRAC3 by way of example, the method is not limited toATRAC3 but may be any of MP3 (Moving Picture Experts Group 2 Audio Layer3), TwinQV (trademark), AAC (MPEG2 Advance Audio Coding), etc.

[0468] Note that although it has previously been described that thecontent encryption method adopted by the personal computer 1 is DES forexample, the method is not limited to DES but may be any of IDEA(International Data Encryption Algorithm), RAS which is a public keyencryption method, elliptical encryption, etc.

[0469] Also, the content management program 111 may be executed on ahardware provided independently inside the personal computer 1 and whichcannot read directly the content management program 111, for example.Also, the hardware to execute the content management program 111 may bedesigned to have a tamping resistance.

[0470] The aforementioned series of operations may be executable by ahardware, but it may be executable by a software. In case the series ofoperations is to be executed by a software, programs composing thesoftware is installed, from a program storage medium, into a computerincorporated in a dedicated hardware or a general-purpose personalcomputer, for example, whose various functions can be performed with avariety of programs installed therein.

[0471] The program storage medium to store programs installed in acomputer and executable by the computer may be formed from the magneticdisc 41 or 91 (including floppy disc), optical disc 42 or 92 (includingCD-ROM (compact disc read-only memory), DVD (digital versatile disc)),magneto-optical disc 43 or 93 (including MD (mini disc)), package mediumsuch as semiconductor memory 44 or 94, ROM 12 or 62 in which theprograms will be stored provisionally or permanently, or HDD 21 or 71,as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The programs are stored into the programstorage medium via an interface such as communications unit 25 or 73using a cable or radio communications medium such as network 2 includinga local area network or Internet, or digital satellite broadcasting.

[0472] Note that the steps of operation concerning a program stored inthe program storage medium, described herein, include operations whichare effected time-serially in the described sequence as well asoperations not effected time-serially but in parallel or individually.

[0473] Also note that the “system” referred to herein covers an entireassembly of a plurality of apparatuses.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[0474] According to the present invention having been described in theforegoing, it is judged whether a first content has been checked out, itis judged whether a second content has been checked out, and the firstand second contents are combined together when it is determined neitherthe first nor second content has been checked out. Therefore, thecontents can be combined together while preventing the user's right frombeing illegally damaged and the contents from being illegally used.

[0475] Also, according to the present invention, it is judged whether acontent has been checked out, and the content is divided when it isdetermined that the content has not been checked out. Therefore, thecontent can be divided while preventing the user's right from beingillegally damaged and the contents from being illegally used.

1. An information processor comprising: a first judging means forjudging whether a first content has been checked out; a second judgingmeans for judging whether a second content has been checked out; andmeans for combining the first and second contents together when it isdetermined by the first and second judging means that neither the firstnor second content has been checked out.
 2. The apparatus according toclaim 1, further comprising a third judging means for judging whether amaximum number of possible checkouts for the first content is equal tothat for the second content, and wherein the combining means combinesthe first and second contents together when it is determined by thethird judging means that the maximum number of possible checkouts isequal to that for the second content.
 3. The apparatus according toclaim 1, further comprising means for judging whether a playback timelimit or number of times of playback is set for the first and secondcontents, and wherein the combining means combines the first and secondcontents when no limit is set for both the first and second contents. 4.The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means forgenerating a name for combined contents based on the names of the firstand second contents.
 5. An information processing method in which firstand second contents are combined together, the method comprising: afirst judging step of judging whether a first content has been checkedout; and a second judging step of judging whether a second content hasbeen checked out; and a content combining step of combining the firstand second contents together when it is determined that neither thefirst nor second content has been checked out.
 6. The method accordingto claim 5, further comprising a third judging step of judging whetherthe maximum number of possible checkouts for the first content is equalto that for the second content; and wherein the first and secondcontents are combined together at the content combining step when it isdetermined that the maximum number of possible checkouts for the firstcontent is equal to that for the second content.
 7. The method accordingto claim 5, further comprising a playback limit judging step of judgingwhether a playback time limit or limit of times of playback is set forthe first and second contents, and wherein the first and second contentsare combined together at the content combining step when it isdetermined that no playback time limit or limit of times of playback isset for both the first and second contents.
 8. A program storage mediumhaving stored therein a computer-readable program, the program stored inthe medium comprising: a first judging step of judging whether a firstcontent has been checked out; and a second judging step at which is itjudged whether a second content has been checked out; and a contentcombining step of combining the first and second contents together whenit is determined that neither the first nor second content has beenchecked out.
 9. The medium according to claim 8, the program furthercomprising a third judging step of judging whether a maximum number ofpossible checkouts for the first content is equal to that for the secondcontent, and wherein the first and second contents are combined togetherat the content combining step when it is determined that the maximumnumber of possible checkouts for the first content is equal to that forthe second content.
 10. The medium according to claim 8, the programfurther comprising a playback limit judging step of judging whether aplayback time limit or limit of times of playback is set for the firstand second contents, and wherein the first and second contents arecombined together at the content combining step when it is determinedthat no playback time limit or limit of times of playback is set forboth the first and second contents.
 11. The medium according to claim 8,the program further comprising a step of generating a name for thecombined contents based on the names of the first and second contents.12. An information processor comprising: means for judging whether acontent has been checked out; and means for dividing the content when itis determined that the content has not been checked out.
 13. Theapparatus according to claim 12, further comprising means for judgingwhether a playback limit is set for a content, and wherein the contentdividing means divides the content when no playback limit is set for thecontent.
 14. The apparatus according to claim 12, further comprisingmeans for generating names for the two contents, respectively, generatedby the division based on the name of their original content.
 15. Aninformation processing method comprising invention, steps of: judgingwether a content has been checked out; and dividing the content when itis determined that the content has not been checked out.
 16. The methodaccording to claim 15, further comprising a step of judging whether aplayback limit is set for the content, and wherein the content isdivided when it is determined that no playback limit is set for thecontent.
 17. The method according to claim 15, further comprising a stepof generating names for the two contents generated by the division basedon their original content.
 18. A program storage means having storedtherein a computer-readable program, the program including steps of:judging whether a content has been checked out; and dividing the contentwhen it is determined that the content has not been checked out.
 19. Themedium according to claim 18, the program further comprising a step ofjudging whether a playback limit is set for the content, and wherein thecontent is divided when it is determined that no playback limit is setfor the content.
 20. The medium according to claim 18, the programfurther comprising a step of generating names for the two contentsgenerated by the division based on their original content.